China
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.
Is Kazakhstan building a digital utopia, or a China-style surveillance state?
Many Kazakhs will tell you that officials should limit their ambitions to fixing the internet speed. Others worry that the time for joking is over.
Trump and Xi to meet in Busan, South Korea
The meeting comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether the encounter would take place. A trade dispute flared earlier this month when Beijing expanded export curbs on rare‐earth minerals, prompting the US to threaten additional tariffs.
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
Asian carrot smuggling ring busted in the Philippines
The cargo, consigned to Fourth Consumer Goods Trading, contained more than 53,000 kilograms of carrots that were already beginning to rot.
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China accuses Washington of “bullying” over visa ban threats in Central America
China has sharply criticised the United States for its decision to impose visa restrictions on Central American officials and citizens accused of ties to the Chinese Communist Party, describing the move as evidence of American “arrogance and bias."
Russia, China sign off on Northern Route shipping deal to slash global freight times
Russia and China have signed a landmark agreement to develop and commercialise the Northern Sea Route (NSR), after Beijing tested the route last month, that could slash Europe-Asia cargo transit times and challenge the primacy of the Suez Canal.
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.
China’s solid-state battery breakthrough challenges the future of petrol-powered cars
Chinese researchers have announced a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology that could accelerate the global shift away from internal combustion engines, with a new design that more than doubles the range of current electric vehicles.
Taiwan’s KMT elects new leader
Cheng Li-wun, the only female contender among six candidates, defeated former Taipei mayor Hau Lung‑bin by a wide margin, winning over 50% of the ballot in the leadership race for Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang on October 18.
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.
China increasing its lead in robot technology use
China is consolidating its dominance in the global industrial robotics market, accounting for 41% of the world’s operational robot stock and more than half of all new installations in 2024, according to the International Federation of Robots.
IMF: Global economic outlook shows modest change amid policy shifts and complex forces
Dialing down uncertainty, reducing vulnerabilities, and investing in innovation can help deliver durable economic gains.
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.
Global renewables to double by 2030, but IEA warns momentum must accelerate
Global renewable energy capacity is on course to double by 2030, reaching 4,600 GW—comparable to the current combined total of China, the European Union and Japan—according to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2025 report.
China leads global energy export race as clean tech shipments hit record highs
China is outpacing the US in the global race to dominate energy exports, as demand for clean technology surges and fossil fuel revenues plateau. China exported $120bn in green technology through July 2025, surpassing the US' oil and gas exports.
Helium was China's rare earth metals Achilles' heel
China has a devastating tool in its escalating trade war with the US: rare earth metals (REMs). Last week, Beijing announced new restrictive export controls on the export of anything with even a smidgen of Chinese-produced REMs.