China

Twice in Two Days: Chinese Nationals Spotted Near South Korean Military Base

Twice in Two Days: Chinese Nationals Spotted Near South Korean Military Base

Two Chinese nationals were twice found photographing a South Korean military base but faced no serious consequences. Spotted near Osan Air Base on April 21, they captured images of aircraft and base infrastructure using advanced cameras. The US military reported them, leading to their detention under the Military Facility Protection Act. Despite suspicions, authorities found no evidence of espionage or anti-state activities, resulting in their release. The incident raised concerns, but officials maintained that no security breach had occurred. Authorities stated that no signs of espionage were found in the images taken by the two individuals, as the photos only depicted fighter jets flying near the base’s outer perimeter—an act not considered an offense under military protection la
Taiwan Prosecuting Chinese Captain Marks Legal Counter to Beijing’s Grey-Zone Warfare

Taiwan Prosecuting Chinese Captain Marks Legal Counter to Beijing’s Grey-Zone Warfare

On 11 April 2025, Taiwanese prosecutors filed charges against a Chinese ship captain, accusing him of deliberately damaging undersea cables off the coast of Taiwan in February 2025. The Chinese-crewed ship Hong Tai 58, registered in Togo, was seized after it was suspected of having damaged an undersea cable off southwestern Taiwan. The Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office said that the captain was charged with violating the Telecommunications Management Act. This marked the first time when Taiwan prosecuted anyone for such an offence. The unprecedented legal action follows a surge in cable malfunctions that has raised concerns among Taiwanese officials amidst heightened tensions with China. As per the news, on 25 February 2025, authorities boarded the Hong Tai and detained its seven
Echoes of conscience: Thousands in New York rally against CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong

Echoes of conscience: Thousands in New York rally against CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong

On a recent weekend in New York City, the beating of drums, the fluttering of banners, and the solemn discipline of meditation were not mere theatrical elements of a cultural showcase—they were the rhythms of protest, remembrance, and resistance.  Thousands gathered in the heart of Manhattan to denounce what they described as one of the most egregious human rights abuses of the 21st century: the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) continued persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. From Times Square to the United Nations headquarters, the marchers—many dressed in yellow shirts emblazoned with the words "Falun Dafa is Good"—carried signs calling for an end to the Chinese regime’s two-decade-long suppression of the spiritual practice.  With their peaceful presence, they ho
China, the war-monger

China, the war-monger

By turning down an offer from U.S. President Donald Trump for a mutual 50 percent cut in defense budget, China will go down in history as the war-mongering nation. The power-hungry Chinese Communist Party mandarins have not realized that it would have been in their own interest to have accepted the offer. For, China has no chance to catch up with the U.S. and its allies in the arms race that Beijing has triggered by announcing a record high defense budget and by stepping up its belligerent activities in the South China Sea. After taking over as President, Trump had offered that the U.S., Russia and China, the three countries with the largest defense budgets, cut their spending on the military by 50 percent. “One of the first meetings I want to have is with President Xi of China, Pr
Xi Jinping’s tour of Southeast Asia strengthens regional cooperation and diplomacy.

Xi Jinping’s tour of Southeast Asia strengthens regional cooperation and diplomacy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s five-day Southeast Asia tour, spanning visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia from April 14 to 18, has been hailed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as a resounding diplomatic success. The trip, the first overseas tour by China’s head of state in 2025, was a powerful affirmation of China’s commitment to good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in the region. It also delivered a broader message: China remains a firm advocate for multilateralism, regional integration, and international trade rules amidst the global headwinds of protectionism and geopolitical fragmentation. Xi’s visit to Vietnam was perhaps the most politically symbolic stop of the tour. As Wang Yi emphasized, the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two Com
The focus is on Labour’s China strategy.

The focus is on Labour’s China strategy.

After a dramatic weekend with ministers passing legislation to wrest control of British Steel from its Chinese owners, Labour's China policy is under the spotlight. Sir Keir Starmer's government came in, promising a "strategic and long term" relationship with Beijing, after years of "inconsistency" under the Conservatives. David Lammy went on the first trip by a foreign secretary in six years. Sir Keir met Xi Jinping in the margins of the G20 in November and floated a UK-China visit. Rachel Reeves went to the Chinese capital in January, saying her trip had secured £600m of growth for the UK economy. Politics latest: Record number of migrants cross the English Channel Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds appeared to turn the tables this weekend, suggesting Chinese parent com
Island infiltrators: The weakness of political and military defenses is revealed by Taiwan spy scandals

Island infiltrators: The weakness of political and military defenses is revealed by Taiwan spy scandals

A growing number of espionage cases are rattling Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), piercing deep into the island’s political and military core and exposing worrying vulnerabilities in its counter-intelligence systems.The mounting revelations of infiltration – from top government officials’ close aides to active-duty military personnel – have sparked alarm over Beijing’s intensifying efforts to undermine Taiwan authorities from within, raising questions of public trust in the administration of William Lai Ching-te.At least five people closely associated with senior DPP politicians are under investigation or have been detained for allegedly leaking classified information to mainland Chinese intelligence. Among them are aides to Taiwanese leader Lai and National Security Co
A tense globe is about to face a geopolitical reckoning.

A tense globe is about to face a geopolitical reckoning.

As the world reels from US President Donald Trump’s sweeping – though now largely paused – “reciprocal” tariffs, next month’s global geopolitical calendar could prove consequential. Nearly every region is on the brink of decisions that could shape the coming years.Centre stage are Trump’s first state visits of his second term, expected as soon as next month. He will reportedly visit Saudi Arabia first, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Trump’s focus highlights Gulf investments in American industry – the UAE has pledged US$1.4 trillion, Saudi Arabia US$600 billion – and critically, may be an attempt to insert himself into Gaza talks.Trump has floated radical proposals, including resettling Palestinians to transform the Gaza Strip into a luxury retreat. Implausibility aside, su
Building an all-weather community with a common future in the new period is agreed upon by China and Cambodia.

Building an all-weather community with a common future in the new period is agreed upon by China and Cambodia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday agreed to build an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, and designated 2025 the China-Cambodia Year of Tourism. Xi said the ironclad friendship between China and Cambodia enjoys a profound history, a solid political foundation and a strong internal driving force, adding that no matter how the international situation changes, the two countries have always been at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Xi noted that at present, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, saying that deepening the building of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future is fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples. China wi...
Taiwan: absorbing Chinese power like a sponge

Taiwan: absorbing Chinese power like a sponge

Taiwan has an inadvertent, rarely acknowledged role in global affairs: it’s a kind of sponge, soaking up much of China’s political, military and diplomatic efforts. Taiwan absorbs Chinese power of persuasion and coercion that won’t be directed elsewhere while the island remains free. This means that supporting Taiwan is not merely a moral stance in favour of democracy; it is a strategic and economic necessity. Taiwan’s independence from China anchors the regional order—and maybe even the global order. While it remains separate from China, Beijing is delayed in shifting attention to new, potentially more dangerous fronts. Every leader of the People’s Republic of China—from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping—has made ‘reunification’ a non-negotiable part of the party’s mission. Xi has tied Taiw
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