COMMENT: Why Beijing will never take Taiwan

Xi Jinping needs to think again before he sends so many young Chinese men and women to their deaths on Taiwan, for if the PLA does one day dare to land, they will be buried here.

Chinese teens slapped with $300,000 bill for peeing in hotpot

Although no diners were actually served the tainted broth, the video sparked outrage across China. Haidilao rushed to ‘mop up’ the mess – quite literally – by handing out refunds and payouts to punters.

Asia’s gas utilities are politically shielded but economically exposed

Many of the region’s gas distributors enjoy the safety net of being government-related entities and are ‘protected’ to a large extent. Their credit profiles are, in reality, extensions of sovereign ratings rather than stand-alone assessments.

India, China, Europe, all face population declines by the end of the century – OWID

This chart tracks the UN’s latest demographic projections for four large populations: India, China, Europe, and the United States. Together, they account for about half of today’s world population, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.

China accused of escalating Taiwan tensions with oil drilling in disputed waters

By placing energy platforms in contested waters, China is signalling both defiance of international rulings and a willingness to tighten the squeeze on Taiwan.

US and Taiwan quietly hold defence talks in Alaska as Trump balances China ties

Taipei has recently announced a record defence budget, proposing a 23% rise that would lift military spending to more than 3.3% of GDP next year.

Modi and Xi push reset as trade pressures force India and China closer together

For Modi, at least for now, the shift feeds into his narrative of a multipolar order, and one where India is not forced into binary choices between Washington and Beijing.

How soft power is becoming Taiwan’s sharpest weapon

Taiwan’s humanitarian instinct was most visible during the COVID pandemic when over 54mn masks were shipped to more than 80 countries worldwide, but at the 2025, and 78th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Taiwan was largely excluded.

China takes Russian oil shipments usually bound for India amid shifting trade flows

At its peak, Russia was India’s largest single supplier of crude, commanding a 36% share of the market. In 2024 alone, New Delhi imported $53bn worth of oil and crude products from Russia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping makes rare visit to Tibet

China’s President Xi Jinping has made an unannounced trip to Tibet, where he presided over a mass gathering in Lhasa to mark six decades since Beijing established the autonomous region.

The Philippines pushes back against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea

Recent incidents, from naval collisions to dangerous aerial interceptions, illustrate the fraught nature of the region, and reveal the Philippines’ evolving strategy to defend its maritime rights.

ASIA BLOG: East Asia must steer clear of the Israel-Gaza conflict

Jimmy Lai becomes a symbol of hope and despair in fallen Hong Kong

Hong Kong is gone. Taiwan and the South China Sea must not, at any cost, follow suit.

ASEAN is going nuclear – it's just a matter of time

Across the ASEAN bloc, energy security, surging data-centre demand and net-zero pledges are nudging governments to revisit their nuclear options.

Japan becomes the pillar of security in northeast Asia

Japan's rapid technological leap in embracing stealth aircraft, maritime-launch F-35Bs, advanced missile defence, AI-enabled drones and space-based surveillance, brings a strategic balance to the region.

COMMENT: Why Taiwan’s president must find the courage to declare Taiwan’s independence

Lai leads a democratic society. Polling by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation in July 2025 shows that 77% of Taiwanese identify as “Taiwanese” rather than “Chinese”.

China wakes to the importance of moving closer to Israel

China is increasingly engaging with Israel, especially in areas such as science, high technology, and innovation. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached $16.27bn in 2024, with Israeli exports exceeding Chinese imports for the first time.

China’s military build‑up against Taiwan

Beijing’s growing arsenal of missile‑based strike systems, amphibious deployment platforms, high‑end air power and laser/cyber capabilities reflects a sustained campaign to squeeze Taiwan’s defensive window.

Sinkholes on the rise across Asia: a growing danger beneath the surface

The dramatic rescue of a motorist from a sinkhole on a busy Singapore road has cast new light on an alarming trend across Asia – the increasing frequency and severity of sinkholes swallowing roads, vehicles, and in some cases entire buildings.

The Asian take on recognition of a Palestinian State

Muslim-majority nations or those seeking to expand their influence in the Middle East will support or reaffirm recognition. Meanwhile, countries embedded in US frameworks or enjoying ties with Israel are are expected to remain cautious.