Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
-
North Korea Condemns US Sanctions and Military Drills, Pledges Nuclear Expansion
North Korea on Tuesday denounced U.S.-led efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, calling them an "absurd" pursuit and vowing to expand its nuclear arsenal. The statement from Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry came after a high-level security meeting in Munich, where the U.S., South Korea, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to countering North Korea's weapons program through sanctions and enhanced military cooperation. 
North Korea on Tuesday denounced U.S.-led efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, calling them an "absurd" pursuit and vowing to expand its nuclear arsenal. The statement from Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry came after a high-level security meeting in Munich, where the U.S., South Korea, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to countering North Korea's weapons program through sanctions and enhanced military cooperation. -
China Condemns U.S. Over Taiwan Policy Shift, Demands Reversal
China has condemned the United States for revising its official stance on Taiwan, demanding that Washington "correct its mistakes" after the U.S. State Department removed a statement from its website that explicitly said it does not support Taiwan's independence. 
China has condemned the United States for revising its official stance on Taiwan, demanding that Washington "correct its mistakes" after the U.S. State Department removed a statement from its website that explicitly said it does not support Taiwan's independence. -
Alibaba’s Jack Ma Returns to Spotlight as Xi Seeks Private Sector Revival
Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a high-profile meeting with leading private-sector executives, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, in Beijing on Monday, in a move widely seen as an effort to reassure the business community following years of regulatory crackdowns. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a high-profile meeting with leading private-sector executives, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, in Beijing on Monday, in a move widely seen as an effort to reassure the business community following years of regulatory crackdowns. -
China Accuses Australia of ‘False Narratives’ After Fighter Jet Incident in South China Sea
China has accused Australia of spreading "false narratives" and provoking tensions following an aerial confrontation over the South China Sea, where a Chinese military jet released flares near an Australian surveillance aircraft earlier this week. 
China has accused Australia of spreading "false narratives" and provoking tensions following an aerial confrontation over the South China Sea, where a Chinese military jet released flares near an Australian surveillance aircraft earlier this week. -
Taiwan Pledges U.S. Investment, Semiconductor Talks Amid Trump Tariff Pressure
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Friday his administration would step up communication with the United States and increase investments following former President Donald Trump's push for reciprocal tariffs on trade partners. The move comes as Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election, has signaled an intent to restore semiconductor manufacturing within the U.S., citing Taiwan's dominance in the industry. 
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Friday his administration would step up communication with the United States and increase investments following former President Donald Trump's push for reciprocal tariffs on trade partners. The move comes as Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election, has signaled an intent to restore semiconductor manufacturing within the U.S., citing Taiwan's dominance in the industry. -
Tensions Rise as Chinese Warships Near Australia Following South China Sea Confrontation
Australia has lodged a formal protest against China after a Chinese fighter jet released flares dangerously close to an Australian surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea. The incident, which Australia's defense minister described as "unsafe and unprofessional," comes as a Chinese naval task force approaches Australian waters, raising further concerns about Beijing's expanding military presence in the Pacific. 
Australia has lodged a formal protest against China after a Chinese fighter jet released flares dangerously close to an Australian surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea. The incident, which Australia's defense minister described as "unsafe and unprofessional," comes as a Chinese naval task force approaches Australian waters, raising further concerns about Beijing's expanding military presence in the Pacific. -
Massive Blast Rocks Taiwan Shopping Mall, Leaving at least 4 Dead and 26 Injured
A gas explosion at a department store in Taichung, Taiwan, killed four people and injured at least 26 on Thursday, sending debris raining down on the streets below. The blast, which occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, caused extensive damage to the building's upper floors, according to the Taichung Fire Bureau. 
A gas explosion at a department store in Taichung, Taiwan, killed four people and injured at least 26 on Thursday, sending debris raining down on the streets below. The blast, which occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, caused extensive damage to the building's upper floors, according to the Taichung Fire Bureau. -
Europe Pledges $200 Billion for AI Race as It Seeks to Challenge U.S. and China
The European Union and France have announced significant investments in artificial intelligence, aiming to position the continent as a serious competitor against the U.S. and China. At the AI Action Summit in Paris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged €200 billion ($206 billion) in funding, reinforcing the bloc's ambition to become a global AI leader. 
The European Union and France have announced significant investments in artificial intelligence, aiming to position the continent as a serious competitor against the U.S. and China. At the AI Action Summit in Paris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged €200 billion ($206 billion) in funding, reinforcing the bloc's ambition to become a global AI leader. -
Apple Partners with Alibaba to Bring AI to China, Rejects DeepSeek Models: Report
Apple has partnered with Alibaba to develop artificial intelligence (AI) features for iPhones in China, a move aimed at overcoming regulatory hurdles and boosting its lagging sales in one of its most important markets, according to a report by The Information. 
Apple has partnered with Alibaba to develop artificial intelligence (AI) features for iPhones in China, a move aimed at overcoming regulatory hurdles and boosting its lagging sales in one of its most important markets, according to a report by The Information. -
China’s Marriage Rate Hits Record Low, Raising Alarm Over Aging Population
China's marriage rate plummeted to a historic low in 2024, reflecting deepening demographic challenges despite government efforts to reverse the trend. According to data released Saturday by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 6.1 million couples registered marriages last year, marking a 20.5% decline from 2023 and the lowest figure since records began in 1986. 
China's marriage rate plummeted to a historic low in 2024, reflecting deepening demographic challenges despite government efforts to reverse the trend. According to data released Saturday by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 6.1 million couples registered marriages last year, marking a 20.5% decline from 2023 and the lowest figure since records began in 1986.
