China

Russia’s arms exports slump, Kremlin preparing for possible war with Nato

Ben Aris in Berlin December 20, 2024

Russian arms exports have plummeted by 92% since 2021, according to defence policy expert Pavel Luzin, as the Kremlin redirects all its military production to supplying the conflict in Ukraine.

Blinken warns Taiwan crisis could trigger global economic turmoil

bno - Taipei Office December 20, 2024

Taiwan is not just a regional issue; it’s everyone’s business, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised in a recent address, highlighting the global implications of a potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait

Iran boosts oil, gas output amid US crackdown on sales

Newsbase MENA syndication December 18, 2024

Iran’s oil and gas output has ramped up over the past three months, Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Bovard said on December 18, as the country is poised to face heightened pressure under a second Trump administration.

Russia sells stakes in Kazakhstan uranium JVs to China

bne IntelliNews December 18, 2024

Move kicks off debate on whether move illustrates a loss of Kremlin influence in Central Asia.

Taiwan boosts defence with advanced Abrams tanks amid rising Chinese tensions

bno - Taipei Office December 17, 2024

Taiwan's military capabilities have received a significant boost with the arrival of 38 advanced M1A2 Abrams battle tanks from the United States, the first of 108 tanks ordered by Taiwan in 2019

China’s leftover “gutter” cooking oil becomes bio-sustainable aviation fuel wonder

bne IntelliNews December 16, 2024

China’s notorious “gutter oil” was once a source of food safety scandals, but has undergone a green revolution that has made it worth more than kerosene.

Iranian oil sales to China nosedive as fresh sanctions bite

bne IntelliNews December 15, 2024

Iran’s oil exports to China have dropped to a record low in two years, a senior analyst at consultancy HedgePoint said, an indication that recent US sanctions cracking down on Iranian crude have been delivering.

South Korean president impeached, Constitutional Court to sit December 16

bno - Taipei Office December 14, 2024

South Korea's National Assembly has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his highly controversial imposition of martial law, in the process suspending him from all duties associated with the office of president.

China eyes yuan depreciation to tackle Trump’s tariff threat in 2025

bno - Taipei Office December 13, 2024

China is reportedly considering allowing the yuan to weaken in 2025 as part of its response to the looming threat of higher US tariffs under a second term for former President Donald Trump

China slams South Korean president's espionage accusations

bno - Taipei Office December 13, 2024

China has expressed its "deep surprise and dissatisfaction" with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recent remarks that appeared to implicate Chinese nationals in espionage activities

Japan plans tax hike to fund $280bn military buildup

bno - Tokyo Office December 12, 2024

Japan is gearing up to increase taxes as early as April 2026 to finance its ambitious plan to double its defence budget to 2% of GDP. This move comes as the nation seeks to bolster its military capabilities amid growing regional tensions

US boosts military aid to Taiwan in 2025

bno - Taipei Office December 12, 2024

The United States is poised to significantly bolster its military support for Taiwan, with the inclusion of substantial funding and initiatives

COMMENT: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and China accelerate efforts to expand the Middle Corridor

Seymur Mammadov in Baku December 11, 2024

Pressing need for expanded infrastructure as freight traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route increases.

Xi warns 'no winners' in US-China trade war amid economic struggles

bno - Taipei Office December 11, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping has cautioned that trade wars between the United States and China will yield "no winners" as tensions between the two countries escalate ahead of a new presidential term for Donald Trump

Paraguay stands firm with Taiwan amid growing Chinese pressure

Alek Buttermann December 10, 2024

Paraguay’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan remain intact despite increasing pressure from China, following the expulsion of Chinese diplomat Xu Wei.

Serbia signs €720mn contract with PowerChina on first phase of Belgrade metro

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade December 10, 2024

Significant step towards construction of the Belgrade metro, which has been under consideration for nearly a century.

Where does nuclear power-use stand in post-COP29 Asia?

bno - Taipei Office December 10, 2024

It is now a month since COP29 opened its doors to delegates from around the world in the city of Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11

COMMENT: Trump’s White House picks signal rocky start with Latin America

Ricardo Martins in Utrecht December 9, 2024

Trump's return to power sets up a confrontational start with Latin America, threatening tariffs and strict border controls. Mexico pushes back firmly against US pressure, while China quietly expands its regional influence challenging US dominance.

Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of aggressive tactics in South China Sea

bno - Taipei Office December 5, 2024

Tensions in the South China Sea have flared once again after the Philippines accused China’s Coast Guard of using water cannons and performing dangerous manoeuvres against a Philippine vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

Iranian president meets with Chinese officials in Tehran

bne Tehran bureau December 4, 2024

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed Tehran’s will to strengthen ties with China, as well as Russia, to counter the United States’ unilateralism.

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