Chinese businesses should pivot their attention to the “rising” Global South such as Africa and the Middle East while minimising foreign investment risks through localisation, according to a former senior diplomat. Le Yucheng, who was a Chinese foreign vice-minister from 2018 to 2022, offered the assessment on Wednesday at the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in…
The US-UK technology deal announced in September 2025 promises to accelerate Britain’s AI sector, but critics warn it will happen at the expense of national tech sovereignty. It reflects the steady trend of US government and private interests extending a technologically driven form of hegemony, employing communications, data and AI systems to deepen dependence on…
China’s 15th five-year plan is more than a policy blueprint; it is a pivotal turning point. This plan and the next one will define an era of innovation-led growth, solidifying China’s status as a major power and peer competitor to the United States. Since the reform and opening-up policy was launched, China’s economic development has…
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said “a multipolar world is emerging”, positioning Beijing’s latest vision for global governance as a unifying and stabilising framework at a time of increasing turbulence and Washington-driven unilateralism. Speaking in Beijing on Monday, Wang also called for “an end to politicising economic and trade issues, artificially fragmenting global markets, and…
A commentary by state news agency Xinhua on Monday said that Taiwan will be “governed by patriots” after reunification with mainland China, and that all of its products could enter the mainland’s market duty free. “We not only seek reunification in formality, what’s more important is the mental bonding of compatriots on the two sides…
The State Department said last month that it would “restrict US visas for Central American nationals … intentionally acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party” and who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, provide significant support to, or carry out activities that undermine the rule of law in Central America”. “The United States, under the guise…
As global competition in autonomous driving intensifies, Europe has emerged as the latest frontier for China’s rapidly advancing self-driving technology. Start-ups such as Pony.ai, WeRide, AutoX, DeepRoute.ai, Momenta and Baidu’s Apollo Go are expanding their trials and partnerships across European cities, transforming Europe into the next stage of technological rivalry. What began as a domestic…
The Pentagon’s coming defence strategy report will contain major changes in the US’ plans to counter China’s military and economic strength, according to Chinese defence researchers. The new National Defence Strategy, a road map of defence priorities for each US president’s term, is expected to be released in the coming weeks. According to a Defence…
Rising Chinese scepticism towards Western classical history and its scholarly framework has found its latest target in ancient Egyptian treasures, adding an unexpected twist to the two countries’ long-term partnership. From July last year until August this year, the Shanghai Museum hosted a major exhibition on ancient Egypt, marking the first collaboration between a Chinese…
Hong Kong will offer one-stop tailor-made professional services to mainland Chinese enterprises through a newly established task force dedicated to helping such businesses expand overseas, the city’s commerce chief has said. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah also said that his task force, which was set up on Monday, included members from…