Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
-
Kim Jong Un Relaunches Damaged Destroyer, Pledges Naval Expansion Against U.S. ‘Provocations’
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over the relaunch of a 5,000-ton destroyer that partially sank during its failed inauguration last month, vowing to accelerate naval expansion and deploy warships deeper into the Pacific Ocean as tensions with the United States escalate. 
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over the relaunch of a 5,000-ton destroyer that partially sank during its failed inauguration last month, vowing to accelerate naval expansion and deploy warships deeper into the Pacific Ocean as tensions with the United States escalate. -
China Downplays Trump’s ‘Done Deal' as U.S. Sets Fixed 55% Tariff on Imports
President Donald Trump declared a new trade agreement with China "done" on Wednesday, framing it as a breakthrough on tariffs, rare earths, and educational exchanges. However, Chinese officials characterized the result as a preliminary framework rather than a finalized deal, underscoring the unresolved tensions between the two economic superpowers. 
President Donald Trump declared a new trade agreement with China "done" on Wednesday, framing it as a breakthrough on tariffs, rare earths, and educational exchanges. However, Chinese officials characterized the result as a preliminary framework rather than a finalized deal, underscoring the unresolved tensions between the two economic superpowers. -
Hong Kong Police Warn Downloading Taiwan-Linked Game May Violate National Security Law
Authorities in Hong Kong warned on Tuesday that downloading or promoting a mobile game developed in Taiwan could lead to prosecution under the city's national security law, accusing it of advocating "armed revolution" and supporting secessionist ideologies hostile to Beijing. 
Authorities in Hong Kong warned on Tuesday that downloading or promoting a mobile game developed in Taiwan could lead to prosecution under the city's national security law, accusing it of advocating "armed revolution" and supporting secessionist ideologies hostile to Beijing. -
U.S.-China Trade Truce Restored as Trump Touts Rare Earth Supply, Student Visa Concessions
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said China would supply rare earth materials "up front" to the United States under a new trade framework he described as a "great WIN for both countries," while declaring that U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would remain as high as 55%. 
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said China would supply rare earth materials "up front" to the United States under a new trade framework he described as a "great WIN for both countries," while declaring that U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would remain as high as 55%. -
U.S., China Reach Tentative Trade Framework, Seek Approval From Trump and Xi
The United States and China reached a tentative framework agreement on Tuesday aimed at de-escalating trade tensions and resolving dueling export restrictions, following two days of high-level talks in London. While the deal halts immediate escalation, major tariff threats remain unless both sides finalize a broader pact by August 10. The United States and China reached a tentative framework agreement on Tuesday aimed at de-escalating trade tensions and resolving dueling export restrictions, following two days of high-level talks in London. While the deal halts immediate escalation, major tariff threats remain unless both sides finalize a broader pact by August 10. -
China Deploys Two Warships Beyond U.S. Pacific Line for First Time, Shocking Japan and Pentagon
China deployed two aircraft carriers in the western Pacific for simultaneous operations over the weekend, marking the first known instance of such a maneuver beyond the strategic Second Island Chain, Japanese defense officials said Tuesday. The move signals Beijing's deepening push to expand its blue water naval capabilities and challenge U.S.-led regional security architecture. 
China deployed two aircraft carriers in the western Pacific for simultaneous operations over the weekend, marking the first known instance of such a maneuver beyond the strategic Second Island Chain, Japanese defense officials said Tuesday. The move signals Beijing's deepening push to expand its blue water naval capabilities and challenge U.S.-led regional security architecture. -
Leaked FSB Memo Labels China ‘the Enemy’ as Russia Fears Beijing May Annex Vladivostok: Report
A leaked Russian intelligence document has revealed a dramatic divergence between Moscow's public diplomacy and internal national security posture, with the Federal Security Service (FSB) privately labeling China as "the enemy" and warning of growing espionage threats. The eight-page memo, obtained by The New York Times, indicates Russian security services fear Beijing's ambitions extend from espionage in Ukraine and the Arctic to the possible annexation of parts of Russia's Far East, including the port city of Vladivostok. 
A leaked Russian intelligence document has revealed a dramatic divergence between Moscow's public diplomacy and internal national security posture, with the Federal Security Service (FSB) privately labeling China as "the enemy" and warning of growing espionage threats. The eight-page memo, obtained by The New York Times, indicates Russian security services fear Beijing's ambitions extend from espionage in Ukraine and the Arctic to the possible annexation of parts of Russia's Far East, including the port city of Vladivostok. -
China’s Top AI Platforms Go Dark to Stop Cheating During Gaokao
Major Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance have temporarily suspended AI features during the country's annual college entrance exams, a nationwide move aimed at curbing cheating in one of the world's most high-stakes academic assessments. More than 13.3 million students are sitting for the multi-day gaokao exams from June 7-10, which determine university placement and often shape career trajectories for years to come. 
Major Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance have temporarily suspended AI features during the country's annual college entrance exams, a nationwide move aimed at curbing cheating in one of the world's most high-stakes academic assessments. More than 13.3 million students are sitting for the multi-day gaokao exams from June 7-10, which determine university placement and often shape career trajectories for years to come. -
China Eases Rare Earth Export Curbs for U.S. and EU Auto Giants Amid Global Supply Panic
China has begun easing restrictions on rare earth exports for major U.S. and European automakers, offering limited relief to an industry facing mounting production threats from a critical materials bottleneck. The move comes after emergency trade talks in Paris between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, and as a delegation of U.S. officials prepares for follow-up negotiations in London. 
China has begun easing restrictions on rare earth exports for major U.S. and European automakers, offering limited relief to an industry facing mounting production threats from a critical materials bottleneck. The move comes after emergency trade talks in Paris between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, and as a delegation of U.S. officials prepares for follow-up negotiations in London. -
China’s Exports to U.S. Plunge 34.5% in May as Trade Talks Resume in London
China's exports to the United States dropped 34.5% year-over-year in May, the steepest decline since February 2020, as new customs data released Monday underscored deepening disruptions from the trade war with Washington. The sharp fall-amid recently announced tariff relief-preceded a second round of high-stakes trade talks set to begin Monday in London between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. 
China's exports to the United States dropped 34.5% year-over-year in May, the steepest decline since February 2020, as new customs data released Monday underscored deepening disruptions from the trade war with Washington. The sharp fall-amid recently announced tariff relief-preceded a second round of high-stakes trade talks set to begin Monday in London between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
