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Greg Torode
A satellite image appears to show an overview of Thitu Island in the South China Sea on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 29, 2024
Chinese ships near island disputed with Philippines, satellites show
Thitu is a strategically important island from which Manila monitors Chinese vessels and aircraft in the busy waterway.
Military vehicles carrying DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles travel past Tiananmen Square during a military parade in Beijing in October 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 21, 2024
U.S. and China held first informal nuclear talks in five years in March
Beijing's representatives told their U.S. counterparts that they would not resort to atomic threats over Taiwan, according to two American delegates.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel prepare rubber fenders after China Coast Guard vessels blocked their way to a resupply mission at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 5.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 19, 2024
In South China Sea dispute, Philippines' bolder hand tests Beijing
Publicizing China's actions, combined with Manila's deepened military alliance with the U.S., has constrained Beijing's ability to escalate matters at sea.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam speaks during a ceremony marking the new legal year in Hong Kong on Jan. 22.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 11, 2024
British judges' resignations put Hong Kong rule of law in spotlight
Foreign judges have been described as a "canary in the coalmine," generating confidence in Hong Kong's judiciary system.
U.S. soldiers participate in a joint exercise conducted for South Korean and U.S. soldiers in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province, South Korea, on March 20.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 31, 2024
China's military drills 'remain underdeveloped' amid regional tensions
Noting the U.S. military may eventually lose its edge over China in the region, a new study says China is challenged by a lack of combat experience.
A senior U.S. official on Thursday called on China and Russia to commit to ensuring that decisions about deploying nuclear weapons are made solely by humans, not artificial intelligence.
WORLD / Politics
May 2, 2024
U.S. official urges China and Russia to declare only humans, not AI, control nuclear weapons
The push comes as U.S. President Joe Biden tries to deepen discussions with China over nuclear weapons policy and the growth of artificial intelligence.
The Hong Kong flag and surveillance cameras outside the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 8, 2024
Hong Kong government issues draft of new national security law
It includes sentences of up to life imprisonment for treason, 20 years for espionage and 10 years for state secrets offenses.
A floating barrier at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Feb. 22
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 27, 2024
Satellite images reveal floating barrier at mouth of disputed atoll in South China Sea
China claims the Scarborough Shoal, although it is inside the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Business people, diplomats and academics are watching developments in Hong Kong closely, saying the prospect of new laws targeting espionage, state secrets and foreign influence could have a deep impact on the global financial hub.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 30, 2024
Hong Kong leaders start push to tighten national security laws
New legislation could sharpen the 2020 regulations imposed by Beijing on the territory in response to months of pro-democracy protests.
An undated file photo shows Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago and site of a major United States military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean, leased from Britain in 1966.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 14, 2023
Indian Ocean could become China's Achilles' heel in war on Taiwan
A struggle to protect energy lifelines even as demands increase could make a protracted war over Taiwan difficult for Beijing to sustain.
Chinese Navy's nuclear-powered submarine Long March 11 takes part in a naval parade off the eastern port city of Qingdao, China, in 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 25, 2023
China launching new submarines with guided-missile capabilities
A new Pentagon report confirms that modified vessels seen in Chinese shipyards over the last 18 months are Type 093B guided missile submarines.
The Long March 11, a nuclear-powered submarine in China's navy
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 9, 2023
China's next-generation stealth subs raise diplomatic tensions
Evidence suggests that the new vessels will be harder to track, with Beijing getting access to Russian stealth technology.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping takes part in a military review in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in July 2017.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 1, 2023
China's Xi calls for combat readiness as PLA marks anniversary
Some say the moves reflect China's perception of increased external threats from the U.S. and its allies, and that Beijing is sending political messages.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 4, 2023
World's spy chiefs meet in secret conclave in Singapore
Such meetings are organized by the Singapore government and have been discreetly held at a separate venue alongside the security summit for several years, sources said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 5, 2023
China's aircraft carriers play 'theatrical' role but pose little threat yet
Analysts say China has made progress with its carriers, but has yet to master operating in difficult conditions or adequately protecting the vessels.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Apr 4, 2023
China's intensifying nuclear-armed submarine patrols add complexity for U.S. and allies
Beijing is for the first time keeping at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine constantly at sea, heaping pressure on Washington and its allies.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Mar 8, 2023
Studying Ukraine war, China's military minds fret over U.S. missiles and Starlink
Ukraine has sharpened China's focus by providing a window on a large power's failure to overwhelm a smaller one backed by the West.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Feb 23, 2023
Putin's nuclear treaty move raises stakes over China's growing arsenal
China's nuclear arsenal is growing in size and sophistication — an expansion that the United States recently noted is now gathering pace.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 31, 2022
Lawyers exit Hong Kong as they face campaign of intimidation
Since a national security law was imposed in June 2020, Hong Kong lawyers have endured severe harassment, pushing many to leave the city.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Nov 17, 2022
Beijing's freeze on Taipei contact fuels concern over risk of military clash
China ended formal high-level communication with Taiwan's government in 2016 after the island's voters elected Tsai Ing-wen, whom Beijing considers a separatist, as president.

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