China-UK Relationship

How action over parliamentary spying scandal could affect the UK’s economic relationship with China

— As a key UK trading partner, the government should tread carefully when addressing the very real risks posed by China.

COMMENT

Is the G20 in trouble?

— Xi no-show and several other headaches for host India.

China

China’s gallium and germanium controls: What they mean and what could happen next

— China’s new restrictions on gallium and germanium exports, in response to Western curbs on semiconductor equipment exports, could disrupt Western tech manufacturing. These elements, key in semiconductors and devices like smartphones, are predominantly supplied by China.

War in Ukraine

Zelensky’s European tour has won critical support for Ukraine’s counter-offensive

— The recent visits of Volodymyr Zelensky to his European allies to seek military and diplomatic support for the war against Russia was a success as Germany, France, and Britain have agreed to provide Ukraine with more weapons and equipment for its counter-offensive.

Geopolitics

Why the West needs to offer Brazil, India, and South Africa a new deal

— Emerging powers like Brazil, India, and South Africa are unhappy with the current global power structure and seek more recognition and influence. The West should offer more incentives to these countries to support its stance on Ukraine.

Demography

Move over China: India takes over as the world’s most populous country

— According to recent UN population estimates, India has overtaken China as the world’s most populous country.

Political Cartoons

Outrage caused by China top diplomat reveals country’s true colours

— The Chinese ambassador to France told French media that the Baltic EU states which broke away after the end of the Cold War remain legally part of Russia. China is evidently no longer disguising its position in the Ukraine-Russia War. – Today’s political cartoon by FM Hansen.

COVID-19

COVID origins debate: What to make of new findings linking the virus to raccoon dogs

— New reports suggest the coronavirus pandemic’s origins may be linked to raccoon dogs sold at Wuhan’s Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market. A virologist explains.

Geopolitics

Macron stirs up trouble by asking Europe to take it slow with Taiwan

— President Macron’s remarks on Taiwan have attracted criticism as he urged the EU to achieve strategic autonomy by reducing its reliance on the U.S., and called for Europe to be a third power in the world order.

China-Russia Relationship

Xi and Putin meeting signals the return of the China-Russia axis and the start of a second cold war

— With their meeting, Russian and Chinese leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have signalled the official return of their alliance and the beginning of a new “Cold War”. The two nations will work together to restore their power over global affairs, challenging the West’s domination.

China-Taiwan Tension

Why Beijing has decided this is the year to ‘unify’ with Taiwan

— China’s leaders could use an attack on Taiwan as a distraction from economic issues at home.

War in Ukraine

War in Ukraine: Beijing’s peace initiative offers glimpse at how China plans to win the war

— Beijing’s 12-point proposal is a broad-brush plan for an end to hostilities which positions China as a key power broker.

Spying Balloons

Mysterious objects shot down over North America: Conflicting reports and speculation abound

— Reports about mysterious flying objects recently detected and destroyed above the U.S. and Canada have sparked a debate about their source. Balloons, military crafts, a group of foreign machines or from another world entirely? Speculations vary widely.

Analysis

Spy balloons: Modern technology has given these old-fashioned eyes in the sky a new lease of life

— Balloons can still be useful for gathering intelligence when used alongside satellites and aircraft.

Analysis

Chinese spy balloon over the US: An aerospace expert explains how the balloons work and what they can see

— A Chinese high-altitude balloon recently entered U.S. airspace, causing a high-level diplomatic meeting in Beijing to be cancelled in response. The balloon was shot down afterwards, even though it is believed that it was just a political provocation by China.

China Protests

Chinese protests are about more than COVID – Student discontent has fuelled the biggest movement since Tiananmen Square

— Young people are angry at COVID restrictions, but also poor job prospects and China’s heavy-handed suppression of free speech. Some protesters are even voicing the unprecedented demand that Xi Jinping steps down.