This Month
China’s Xi meets global CEOs to urge trade stability
The Chinese president has called on business leaders to work together to protect supply chains, amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
China prepared for ‘shock’ of trade war, says premier Li
Countries should open up markets in the face of growing economic fragmentation, he told a gathering of global business leaders.
Film’s DeepSeek moment (and what it means for China’s ‘soft power’)
Beijing’s decades-long ‘soft power’ push has never gained traction, particularly overseas. But with a blockbuster movie, video game, and AI breakthrough, could this be changing?
Trump’s strange affair with Putin and Xi leaves allies out in the cold
The direct dealings between the American and Russian presidents in deciding Europe’s eastern front have the whiff of Yalta in 1945.
Australia’s Indo-Pacific destiny up for grabs in a new world order
Australia may have to give up on the idea of a strategic equilibrium and settle for something messier and less grand.
China’s delivery platforms compete to offer better worker benefits
JD.com is providing social security schemes for drivers, including housing fund benefits and various types of insurance. Other gig employers are following suit.
Is China serious about tackling the steel glut?
Four years after oversupply and rising consumer uncertainty killed China’s property boom, Beijing is again re-evaluating the steel industry that supplied it.
The Trump and Xi shows could not be more stark
For many observers, the contrast between China’s orderly political gathering at the Great Hall of the People this week and the White House chaos was stark.
Donald Trump is the political equivalent of a natural disaster
Trump’s tariffs on Australian aluminium will have a modest economic impact, but his assault on US allies is changing Australia’s place in the world.
Hegseth hits back after China declares ‘we’re ready’ for war
The US defence secretary says “those who long for peace must prepare for war”.
China bolsters defence budget to build bigger military
China is increasing its defence spending and looks to fire up its sluggish economy, in the midst of a trade war with the United States.
China set to repeat 5pc growth target at annual political gathering
Investors and markets are watching the National People’s Congress for signs of how Xi Jinping plans to withstand Donald Trump’s tariffs on the sluggish economy.
February
Trump reaching out to Putin is no ‘reverse Nixon’
The Pollyannaish claim that the US president is playing diplomatic chess to isolate Russia from China is a fantasy.
Trump revels in mass firings before adoring crowd
The US president clicked easily back into campaign mode during his hour-plus speech at CPAC, predicting the GOP will continue to win and defy history.
China tests Australia’s, Trump’s resolve on Taiwan
The shifting geopolitical landscape has opened new opportunities for Xi Jinping in his plans to wrest back control of Taiwan. Australia is increasingly exposed.
Bessent, China’s He swap objections over tariffs, growth model
The top economic policymakers from the US and China exchanged complaints in their first discussion since the Trump administration took office.
Back in favour. Why China’s Xi needs Jack Ma more than ever
The Chinese president’s symbolic handshake this week with exiled billionaire Jack Ma shows Beijing needs tech entrepreneurs to revive the economy.
Will it be Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow?
The countries most likely to be at the receiving end of China’s military bullying have the greatest reason to fear it will be emboldened by a Russian victory.
China’s unspoken question: who will succeed Xi Jinping?
The Chinese leader enjoys complete domination of party and state. But to maintain stability, he also needs to signal a succession process is in place.
US enrages China after suggesting support for Taiwan independence
The United States Department of State has dropped a phrase from its online fact sheet that stated Washington does not support Taiwan’s independence.