China
Countering drones in modern warfare: lessons from Ukraine and beyond
Electronic countermeasures are among the most widely used methods for neutralising drones. These include GPS jamming, radio-frequency jamming and signal spoofing.
FBI disrupts attempt by Chinese academics to smuggle crop-killing fungus into US
Upon investigation, the material was identified as Fusarium graminearum, a fungus known to devastate crops such as wheat, barley, maize and rice, and to produce toxins harmful to humans and livestock.
BRICS nations formulate first ever joint Climate Crisis policy
The BRICS bloc approved its first coordinated climate finance framework on May 30, marking the group’s first unified policy to fund climate action and setting the foundation for a shared position ahead of the COP30 meeting due to be held in Brazil.
COMMENT: US Defence Secretary Hegseth tells Asian countries war with China “could be imminent”
US Secretary for Defence Pete Hegseth put the cat amongst the pigeons during a speech at the at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, by telling the leading Asian countries they should join with the US and get ready for war with China.
COMMENT: Chinese firms carving up Tesla's once solid brand recognition
While Tesla remains a powerful player in the EV market, its star has dimmed, particularly in China, today the world’s largest EV market and increasingly its most competitive.
CITIES IN PERIL: Taipei’s climate countdown
Located in the Taipei Basin and bordered by the volcanic Yangmingshan mountain range to the north and Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range to the southeast, Taipei’s geography makes it both scenic and vulnerable.
COVID is back - a new "NB.1.8.1" strain is spreading across continents
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is back. Reports from health authorities around the world have detected a new highly contagious strain of the virus that has been spreading through Asia and has now reached Russia.
China launches international mediation organisation in Hong Kong
China has launched a new international mediation organisation in Hong Kong on May 30, signed by 31 countries
.jpg){kind=spacer}
Bolivia's $2bn lithium deals with China and Russia suspended by court ruling
A court in Potosí halts $2bn lithium projects with Russia’s Uranium One and China’s CBC in Bolivia, home to the world’s largest lithium reserves, over legal and environmental concerns tied to direct lithium extraction plans.
Hungary top European destination for Chinese FDI for second year in a row
Hungary was the top European destination for Chinese foreign direct investment for the second consecutive year in 2024, according to a report by the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency.
BERTRAND: ASEAN, GCC countries and China come together, forming the world’s largest economic bloc
China, the countries of South-East Asia (ASEAN) and the Arab states (GCC) just held a summit in Kuala Lumpur to forge what could become the world's largest economic bloc, covering everything from free trade agreements to de-dollarisation.
LATAM BLOG: The elusive dream of connecting two oceans by rail
The Bi-Oceanic Railway promises to connect Brazil’s Atlantic coast with Peru’s Pacific port of Chancay. Yet this grand vision remains more geopolitical statement than reality, facing immense logistical, environmental, and political challenges.
White House orders cessation of semiconductor tech sales to China
The announcement caused initial stock declines for Synopsys, Cadence and potential acquisition target Ansys. Meanwhile, Chinese EDA firms like Empyrean Technology, Primarius and Semitronix are expanding their market presence.
Combined effort to tackle Asian climate change gaining momentum
Over the past five years Asia has witnessed unprecedented heatwaves, with countries like Bangladesh recording temperatures up to 43.8°C in 2024, leading to nationwide school closures affecting tens of millions of children
India’s remote Northeast emerges as a green energy frontier
India’s Northeast is gaining renewed strategic and economic significance as the country recalibrates its regional posture amid evolving geopolitical dynamics
Gulf States, China dominate ASEAN Summit with a pledge to strengthen ties
Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, the GCC, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations issued a joint declaration committing to “chart a unified and collective path towards a peaceful, prosperous and just future.
Central Asian states ready to meet rising global demand for critical minerals
China has stranglehold on rare earths needed for emerging technologies.
US admits to 500 troops in Taiwan testing Beijing’s red lines
The US has admitted that it has approximately 500 military personnel stationed in Taiwan, breaking previous pledges not to post soldiers on the contested island.
_0_1748406000.jpg)
China shifts from global banker to leading debt collector
Once the primary provider of capital across much of the world, Beijing now finds itself at the receiving end of record repayments, particularly from some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations.
ASIA BLOG: Taiwan on the international stage – inclusion is not a concession, it is common sense
It is increasingly absurd – and even dangerous – that Taiwan continues to be excluded from key international organisations such as the WHO, Interpol, ICAO and most prominently, the UN.