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The US now sees China as an equal - it is time for Western media to wake up and do the same
China was long filed under “too foreign, too dangerous, too different” in many Western newsrooms. Not anymore. Beijing is now impossible to ignore as American leaders have realised. Western media outlets need to wake up to this reality too.
COMMENT: China’s latest economic conquest – Central Asia
For the five Central Asian republics - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - China has in recent years emerged not only as a dominant trading partner, but increasingly as the only partner nearby that can actually deliver.
APEC meeting closes in South Korea, WTO dead and buried
This was not a summit. It was a eulogy for the WTO, and APEC just lowered the flag to half-mast.
COMMENT: For Asia, dealing with Europe isn’t about achieving success; it’s about concealing failure
To be taken seriously in Asia, Europe must rediscover the courage to deliver, not merely declare. Asia has moved on to execution. Europe is still editing its initial policy draft.
US–China soybean sales restart
According to Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, the agreement marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy for American farmers.
Presidents Lee and Xi begin diplomatic chapter at APEC summit
President Lee, who is chairing the first session of the summit at the Hwabaek International Convention Centre, stood at the entrance to personally welcome participants. President Xi reached the venue at approximately 10:02.
South Korea opens APEC summit focusing on connectivity and growth
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung chaired the opening session of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting on the morning of October 31 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
Global leaders gather in Gyeongju to shape APEC cooperation
Global leaders are arriving in Gyeongju, the cultural hub of North Gyeongsang Province, as South Korea hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Delegates from 21 member economies are expected to discuss trade, technology and security.
US-China trade talks deliver breakthrough as markets rally ahead of Trump-Xi meeting at APEC
How and if China will react to a US-Japan rare earths deal remains to be seen but Beijing has said it will suspend its restrictions on rare earth metal exports in what is a move likely to ease pressure on the US tech and defence sectors.
US denies negotiating with China over Taiwan, as Beijing presses for reunification
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, told reporters that the administration of Donald Trump is not contemplating any agreement that would compromise Taiwan’s status.
Asian economies weigh their options amid fears of over-reliance on Chinese rare-earths
Just how control over these critical minerals plays out will be a long fought battle lasting decades, and one that will increasingly define Asia’s industrial future.
China’s state-owned oil giants halt Russian crude purchases in response to US sanctions
China’s state-owned oil giants have paused their purchase of Russian crude oil in response to recent US sanctions targeting Moscow’s two largest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil
Hong Kong cargo plane crash: authorities defend safety procedures amid ongoing probe
Hong Kong airport and rescue authorities have reaffirmed their confidence in the airport’s safety protocols after a cargo plane crashed into the sea early on October 20, killing two.
India’s finance minister to miss upcoming IMF and World Bank meetings
India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will not attend this week’s annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, as trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington remain unresolved.
Do 60,000 maps seized by authorities in China identify Taiwan as independent?
Chinese customs authorities in Shandong province have reportedly confiscated 60,000 maps destined for export after alleging they contained “serious mistakes” related to the depiction of Taiwan and the South China Sea.
COMMENT: China’s new export controls are narrower than first appears
A closer inspection suggests that the scope of China’s new controls on rare earths is narrower than many had initially feared. But they still give officials plenty of leverage over global supply chains, according to Capital Economics.
The Asian nations backing the Russian war effort – from India to Taiwan, China to Indonesia
While many Asian nations have quietly distanced themselves from Moscow in a bid to fall into line with US or European allies, several continue to engage with Russia, providing varying degrees of support that help sustain its military campaign.
China accuses US of hypocrisy over new tariff threats
A representative from China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that the country was ready to take reciprocal action should the US proceed, emphasising that China remained unshaken by the prospect of renewed trade tensions.
Trump shocked by China’s move on rare earths, threatens more 100% tariffs
"Some very strange things are happening in China!" Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account on October 10, adding "They are becoming very hostile."
Ore wars – and the US dollar’s waning influence
Iron ore underpins almost all modern industrial economies; it is the raw material from which steel is forged, and China remains its dominant consumer.