Opinion Archives - Page 15 of 45

25Aug

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Philippines, China accuse each other of ship ramming in South China Sea

China’s coastguard says it has rescued Filipino “personnel” who fell overboard after a Philippine vessel collided with one of its ships near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines on Sunday, however, slammed China’s claims as “completely unfounded”, saying it was a Chinese vessel that had rammed a Philippine ship. The two nations have had repeated confrontations in the waters in recent months, and on Saturday Manila accused China of recently twice firing flares at one of its patrol aircraft. China has continued to press its claims to almost the entire South China Sea and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis. The China Coast Guard said Sunday the Philippine ship “ignored repeated serious warnings and deliber

24Aug

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To prevent conflict, Taiwan and China need to create a new political accord.

To avoid a catastrophic conflict, China and Taiwan must negotiate a new political agreement, define the nature of their relationship and maintain 'One Country' principles instead of sovereignty disputes. Both countries are misled in their belief that military strength can guarantee security and success. Striving for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and respect for each other's autonomy and political concerns is a more viable pathway to a mutually acceptable and peaceful outcome. Efforts to fortify Taiwan against decapitation assaults and amphibious invasions can only do so much to prevent conflict with China in the long run. Taipei and Beijing have pushed political boundaries closer to their respective red lines. To prevent conflict, Taiwan and China need to negotiate a...

23Aug

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Honest talks needed, Starmer tells Chinese leader

Sir Keir Starmer has told China's President Xi Jinping he hopes they can have "open, frank and honest" talks about areas of disagreement, in the first official call between the two. The call was also the first between Mr Xi and a British prime minister since he spoke to Boris Johnson in March 2022. The two leaders discussed potential areas of co-operation, including on trade, the economy and education, a No 10 spokesperson said. "As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the leaders agreed on the importance of close working in areas, such as climate change and global security," they added. "The leaders also agreed on the need for a stable and consistent UK-China relationship, including dialogue between their respective foreign and domestic ministers." China's embassy...

23Aug

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Top Biden adviser Jake Sullivan to visit China next week

The White House has announced that National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to China to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a new bid to manage tensions months before the United States elections. Sullivan will visit Beijing from August 27 to 29, marking the first visit by a US national security adviser since 2016. Nonetheless, other senior US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have visited over the past two years. A senior US official told reporters on Friday that the trip did not indicate any softening of President Joe Biden’s approach to China and that his administration would continue to believe that “this is an intensely competitive relationship”. “We are committed to making the investments, strengthening our alliances and taking the common step

23Aug

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Top Biden adviser Jake Sullivan to visit China next week

The White House has announced that National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to China to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a new bid to manage tensions months before the United States elections. Sullivan will visit Beijing from August 27 to 29, marking the first visit by a US national security adviser since 2016. Nonetheless, other senior US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have visited over the past two years. A senior US official told reporters on Friday that the trip did not indicate any softening of President Joe Biden’s approach to China and that his administration would continue to believe that “this is an intensely competitive relationship”. “We are committed to making the investments, strengthening our alliances and taking the common step

19Aug

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China’s Xi meets with the new leader of Vietnam in Beijing.

China’s President Xi Jinping has held talks with Vietnam’s President To Lam in Beijing on his first state visit since becoming his country’s top leader, according to Chinese official media Xinhua. The meeting between Xi and Lam on Monday signals the close ties between the two communist-run neighbours, which have well-developed economic and trade relations despite occasional strains over their competing claims in the South China Sea. The visit comes just a month after Lam took over in Hanoi following the death of Vietnam’s longtime Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong. China, displaying exuberance over Lam choosing China for his first official trip, said last week it “fully reflects the great importance he attaches to the development of ties between both par

19Aug

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China or India? Sri Lanka’s presidential election becomes a battleground for influence

As candidates in Sri Lanka prepare for next month’s pivotal presidential election, analysts warn its future relations with India and China will hinge on the winner’s policies. The race is on, with a diverse field of 39 candidates vying to lead the island nation out of its worst economic crisis in decades. It’s the country’s first presidential elections since the turmoil of 2022, which saw the once-dominant Rajapaksa political dynasty tumble from power amid mass protests and a crippling financial collapse. Among the most closely watched contenders is Namal Rajapaksa, the 38-year-old scion of the former ruling clan. Representing the Sri Lanka People’s Front (SLPP), the son of popular wartime leader Mahinda Rajapaksa is seeking to restore his fam

18Aug

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How Thailand’s political turmoil complicates ties with the US

Thailand has long been a key ally of the United States, with both nations seeking to continue to nurture strong military and economic relationships. However, since the military’s 2014 coup, Thailand has increasingly turned towards China for support. Despite Washington’s best efforts to lure Bangkok back into its orbit, Thailand’s recent domestic and international actions indicate that a realignment with the West is unlikely any time soon. Last year’s elections did present a glimmer of hope, when the progressive political party Move Forward overwhelmingly won the public mandate to form a government, with 312 seats in the legislature’s 500-member lower house. However, the military-backed constitution implemented in 2017 requires a new prime minister to receive a ma

13Aug

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China may find fresh prospects in Bangladesh as a result of Hasina’s demise.

The ousting of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may upset the fragile balance she established between her country and India, China and the United States. India, which has used its influence with Hasina’s government to hold down Chinese involvement in Bangladesh, may have the most to lose. China, on the contrary, may have an opportunity to strengthen its presence on the Bay of Bengal. Hasina’s diplomacy was characterised by a balancing act with the three major powers, allowing Bangladesh to extract maximum concessions and limit dependence and interference in its internal affairs. Her departure on 5 August creates circumstances in which the stakes are particularly high for India, which sees China’s involvement in Bangladesh’s infrastructure projects as a threat. In 2016, New

11Aug

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Bangladesh political crisis: will China stand by its key South Asian partner?

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina beamed as she stood alongside China’s President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People as both leaders hailed the strength of their bilateral ties, with Dhaka seen as Beijing’s key South Asian strategic partner. Almost one month after her meeting with Xi in Beijing on July 10, Hasina fled her official residence in Dhaka by helicopter to the safety of New Delhi, signalling the dramatic end of her 15-year rule. With her downfall on August 5, questions have been raised about the impact on long-term relations between China and Bangladesh, particularly in trade. Hasina also oversaw the development of mega projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Following Hasina’s departure, the Chinese foreign ministry