China
ASIA BLOG: South Korea needs political stability now more than ever
iKorea's current political crisis is deeply troubling. The ongoing impeachment proceedings against the disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol, regardless of one’s political leanings, are not merely a domestic affair.
China filling void left by USAID’s dismantling
Small and Beautiful marks next phase of Belt & Road Initiative.
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Latin American EV market accelerates threefold in 2024
The number of light electric vehicles in Latin America and the Caribbean saw a dramatic surge last year, tripling in size from 154,966 registered units at the end of 2023 to 444,071 vehicles by December 2024, according to data from Olade.
China’s growing gap to Paris pledge threatens meeting of climate targets
The introduction of new Chinese renewable electricity pricing rules in June threaten the country’s ability to meet its Paris Agreement 2030 climate commitments, according to a report by Carbon Brief.
China’s CO2 emissions go into reverse for the first time
For the first time, China, the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, has seen its CO2 emissions go into reverse and start falling, despite a rapid growth in demand for power.
Could BRICS redefine Asia’s power balance?
For Asian countries outside the current BRICS framework, the stakes are high. Membership could mean enhanced access to financial resources, a larger voice in global institutions, and strengthened ties with emerging powers.
The world is getting darker, absorbing more sunlight, which is accelerating the Climate Crisis
The world is getting darker as the ice melts and that means it is absorbing more and more sunlight, which is accelerating the process.
United States has image problem in Central Asia
Public perceptions toward Washington rapidly swing from positive to negative.
India asserts regional air superiority with Operation Sindoor success
Between May 7 and 10 during what it dubbed Operation Sindoor, India executed a swift and precise air campaign against Pakistan, showcasing its advanced indigenous aerial capabilities and shifting regional perceptions of air superiority.
Nissan’s global retrenchment: factories close, jobs lost
The seeds of Nissan’s current predicament were sown back in fiscal year 2019. The company’s global vehicle sales fell by over 10% to just under 5mn units, with major slowdowns across critical markets.
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.
