The US will remain focused on containing China in the Indo-Pacific, despite short-term deployment distractions caused by its direct involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, according to analysts. Before the strikes, the United States had repositioned forces for the conflict, including shifting assets away from the Indo-Pacific. Last week, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz cancelled a…
A prolonged conflict between Israel and Iran would present China with a rare opportunity—even as it endangers its interests as well. On Tuesday, June 17, Xi Jinping made his first official statement regarding Israel’s ongoing war with Iran on the sidelines of the “China-Central Asia Summit” in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Chinese leader decried the outbreak…
China has launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan, involving its army, navy, rocket force, and coast guard in a show of force against separatism. Taiwan has responded by activating missile systems and deploying warships as China’s Shandong aircraft carrier nears its waters. Beijing released propaganda videos mocking Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, calling him a “parasite,”…
Chinese leaders assess that the United States is distracted, and its leadership lacks strategic vision. There is a famous meme derived from the hit 1990s NBC sitcom, Seinfeld. The meme is posted in response usually to when a fight erupts online: it shows the titular character, Jerry Seinfeld, sitting with a smirk on his face…
Ludi Tance 4-01 – or Ludi – which was launched in August 2023, is the highest flying surveillance satellite ever launched. It continuously monitors the Asia-Pacific region from an altitude of 36,000km (22,370 miles), far above US remote-sensing radar satellites that are positioned in low Earth orbit, according to the project team, led by senior…
The shake-up of the US military leadership is unlikely to change the Trump administration’s strategic focus on China but will leave it with less experience of the region at the top, according to observers. US President Donald Trump dismissed six senior military officers on Friday, including Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Charles Brown, the…
Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China and economy stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. US to slash size of diplomatic mission in China by 10%: sources The United States is set to cut the size of its diplomatic mission in China…
The admiral in charge of United States preparations for any conflict with China is expected to visit Australia next week as the Albanese government condemns Beijing for the latest “dangerous” incident involving military aircraft over the South China Sea. Defence officials on Thursday revealed a Chinese J-16 jet fighter had released flares within 30 metres…
WASHINGTON — After the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last week, the two nations voiced alignment on Trump’s “peace through strength” approach toward countering China in the Indo-Pacific region, analysts said. “The prime minister and I will be working closely together to maintain peace and security — and…
By lodging its case with the WTO, the Hong Kong government may think it is taking a principled stance against US trade bullying. Unfortunately, this bully can’t be reasoned with; he beats his chest each time he flouts international law and norms shouting, “America first”. After all, this is US President Donald Trump 2.0 who…