China
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.
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India and Pakistan continue to hit each other with drones and missiles
The government of India in its May 8 briefing said that Pakistan had launched missiles and drones against its military installations across North India which were all intercepted by its integrated air defence grid on the night of May 7.
Russia backs Beijing's 'One China' claims over Taiwan
Taiwan is a self-governed island democracy that has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party regardless of claims to the contrary by Beijing. Despite this, China views the island as a breakaway province.
China’s central bank unveils 10-point plan to help calm markets, steer growth
Among the most headline-grabbing moves is a 0.5 percentage point cut in the reserve requirement ratio, expected to unleash some CNY1 trillion ($138bn) into the financial system. But that’s just the beginning.
US sanctions Karen National Army leader, two sons over cyber scams and trafficking links
The OFAC stated the sanctions are in response to the trio's alleged involvement in online financial scams, human trafficking, and cross-border smuggling operations that have targeted US citizens.
Kremlin to shut down Moscow’s internet during Victory Day parade, as Ukrainian drone attacks cause civil aviation chaos across the country
Widespread disruption is expected across Russia’s capital during the May 9 Victory Day parade after the Kremlin decided to shut down the city’s internet and SMS services for several hours.
India may have lost its most advanced fighter in strikes against Pakistan
While it is unclear exactly how many of the 36 Rafale airframes IAF operates were part of Operation Sindoor or were lost during or after it, unverified images on social media show a mostly intact tail fin segment bearing the markings of the IAF.
From occupied hosts to strategic partners: the evolving role of Japan and South Korea in US Asia Strategy
Incidents ranging from theft and assault to more egregious acts like rape and murder have periodically reignited public anger such as in the case of the 1995 abduction and gang rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three US servicemen.
ASEAN aligns with Japan, China and South Korea in warning against protectionist risks
Meeting on the sidelines of the recent Asian Development Bank’s annual gathering in Milan, Italy, the officials reiterated their support for a rules-based, free and fair multilateral trading system.
Looking at ramifications of China’s shifting energy usage patterns on Central Asia
Renewables are up, fossil fuels down.
COMMENT: The US doesn’t have the clout to split Hungary off from China
The US doesn't have the clout to even get countries as small as Hungary to cut their ties with China, says political commentator and bne IntelliNews columnist Arnaud Bertrand.
Europe and China eye trade partnership – but sources of friction remain
Whether the Trump administration’s renewed trade confrontation with Beijing pushes Europe into a tighter partnership with China remains to be seen, especially as Japan will be pushing to prevent Beijing and Brussels from getting too close.
Uber to pay $700mn for 85% stake in Turkey delivery unit of Alibaba’s Trendyol
Trendyol GO delivered 200mn+ orders in 2024 and generated $2bn in gross bookings.
COMMENT: Trump’s tariff drive hits emerging markets as growth and inflation forecasts slide – Oxford Economics
President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies are already casting a long shadow over emerging market economies, with analysts cutting growth forecasts and warning of prolonged investment uncertainty and policy disruption.
Post-war order teetering – rights watchdog
Eurasia “at forefront” of assault on individual freedoms.
COMMENT: Middle Corridor makes progress, but playing second fiddle to the Northern Route
The Middle Corridor linking China to Europe through the South Caucasus and Central Asia has expanded significantly in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but its long-term prospects remain uncertain.
Global press freedom indicator slips – Statista
This year's World Press Freedom Index highlights the economic situation of journalists and media organizations being a major risk to press freedom.