China
Colombia officially joins China's "Belt and Road" initiative amid private sector concerns
Colombia has formally joined China's Belt and Road Initiative despite strong opposition from the country's private sector, which warns the decision could severely damage domestic industries.
Lula presses Putin to attend Ukraine peace talks as Russian leader sends deputies instead
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined the chorus of voices piling pressure on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to personally attend proposed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but to no avail.
CK Hutchison stresses legal compliance in Panama port sale amid US-China tensions
Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison has reiterated that its planned sale of major global port assets, including key terminals at the Panama Canal, will move forward only under strict legal and regulatory compliance.
China's SWM to launch auto plant in Turkey
BYD's sales of zero-tariff Chinese EVs on Turkish market are, meanwhile, booming.
What next for Bangladesh in an undeclared India–China tug-of-war?
While India may hold historical and cultural sway, China’s presence in Bangladesh is growing in more visible ways. Beijing has poured billions into infrastructure, energy, and digital connectivity projects under its Belt and Road Initiative.
China woos Latin America with $9bn credit line amid Trump trade tensions
China has offered Latin American and Caribbean countries a CNY66bn ($9.2bn) credit line as part of a comprehensive economic and political cooperation package presented during the CELAC-China summit in Beijing.
COMMENT: Taiwan is playing with darkness by abandoning nuclear power
Japan has restarted many of its nuclear reactors, recognising their role in energy security and climate targets. South Korea has also reinstated nuclear as a core component of its energy strategy. Taiwan, by contrast, is marching backwards.
Xi Jinping's first meeting with Min Aung Hlaing as China backs Myanmar junta's territorial claims
Xi Jinping made clear, however, that support would be contingent upon the junta’s ability to guarantee the security of Chinese citizens and business interests inside Myanmar.
Viktor Orban meets Bank of China chairman amid deepening financial ties with Beijing
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Bank of China chairman Ge Haijiao in Budapest on May 12. The talks focused on expanding the Chinese banking giant’s operations in the country, according to a brief government statement.
Singapore sees gold rush as investors flock to bullion amid global uncertainty
Physical gold sales in Singapore surged in the first four months of 2025, with bullion demand reaching 2.5 tonnes in the first quarter, up 35% year-on-year, marking the steepest increase since 2010.
Brazil's Lula leverages US-China tensions for investment windfall during Beijing visit
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has begun a five-day state visit to China, seeking to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing amid growing US-China trade tensions.
Colombia to join Beijing's Belt and Road initiative
Colombia will join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President Gustavo Petro Urrego announced during his visit to the Great Wall on May 12.
Brazil poised to challenge China's rare earth dominance
Brazil could emerge as a major competitor to China in the strategically critical rare earths market amid escalating global trade tensions and surging demand for these essential elements in high-tech manufacturing.
COMMENT: Why Asia should not follow the failed European model
Over the past 15 years, Europe’s trade frameworks have faltered, integration has stalled, and a number of its core political and economic ideas have failed under real-world pressure.
ASIA BLOG: Beijing’s South China Sea strategy is about Taiwan — and the world needs to sit up and take notice
Even as Taiwan is described as potentially the most dangerous flashpoint in Asia, it is actually the fulcrum upon which the future of the Indo-Pacific — and by extension the global balance of power — may pivot.
Serbia’s Vucic meets China’s Xi Jinping in Moscow to deepen ties with China
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, to reinforce Belgrade’s strategic alignment with Beijing amid increasing global polarisation and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
COMMENT: Lessons from Ukraine suggest India will not go to war with Pakistan
The vast economic and demographic imbalance between India and Pakistan strongly favours New Delhi in any theoretical war between the two rivals. Yet, lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine suggest that India cannot win a total war.
MOSCOW BLOG: A muted V-day parade on Red Square
I have just been watching the Victory Day parade on Red Square. A few observations.
Turkey and China could mediate Ukraine peace talks if US withdraws, Polish foreign minister says
Turkey and China could act as potential mediators in future Ukraine peace negotiations if the United States reduces its involvement, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.