China
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.
Trump–Xi dialogue in Busan aims to cool tariff dispute
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began direct discussions on October 30, marking their first in person meeting since Trump returned to the White House.
The Arctic and Antarctica record "off the charts" heat as polar warming accelerates
Parts of both the Arctic and Antarctic have experienced historically high temperatures in recent weeks, with weather stations in East Antarctica recording record-breaking warmth for the month of October, alarming climate scientists.
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.
COMMENT: Taiwan’s equality paradox - when “progressive” doesn’t mean equal
Taiwan’s insistence that women should have access to every privilege of citizenship - from political office to professional advancement - but not its responsibilities, undermines the moral foundation of its democracy.
BYD surpasses Tesla to become EV market leader – Statista
While Chinese manufacturer BYD already pulled ahead of Tesla in production volume last year, with 1,777,965 battery electric vehicles (BEV) produced in 2024 (4,500 more than Tesla), the American manufacturer remained ahead in sales.
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US senator tells Maduro "head to Russia or China" as warships close in on Venezuela
A senior US Republican senator has warned that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's time in power is running out and suggested he leave the country, as military tensions in the Caribbean continue to escalate.
EU rare earth supply dominated by China and Russia - Eurostat
The European Union remains heavily dependent on China and Russia for rare earth imports, with nearly three-quarters of its supply sourced from the two countries in 2024, according to data published by Eurostat and reported by Statista.
Zelenskiy accuses China of aiding Russia’s war effort through industrial and military support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused China of materially supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex, providing key technologies and resources that have enabled Moscow to sustain and scale its war effort against Ukraine.
Trump pledges enduring support for Southeast Asia as new trade deals signed
During his visit to Southeast Asia, US President Donald Trump declared that Washington would remain a steadfast ally to the region, as he signed a series of trade agreements with four ASEAN member states.
COMMENT: Europe’s “fake it till you make it” war approach cannot hold off Russia’s trillion dollar war machine
In their speeches on the war in Ukraine, European leaders appear like a video clip looped on repeat. Standing before the cameras they declare new packages of support for Kyiv and threaten new measures to pressure Russia as if it was still 2022.
US expands oil sanctions on Russia
US President Donald Trump imposed his first sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies on October 22, the state-owned Rosneft and the privately-owned Lukoil in the latest flip flop by the US president.
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