Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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Rubio, Wang Yi Hold 'Constructive' Talks in Malaysia as U.S.-China Tensions Mount Over Tariffs, Security
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, describing the first in-person encounter between the two officials as "constructive" despite escalating tensions over tariffs, trade policy, and China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The high-level meeting occurred on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum, where Southeast Asian nations voiced unease over President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariff package targeting both rivals and allies in the Indo-Pacific. 
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, describing the first in-person encounter between the two officials as "constructive" despite escalating tensions over tariffs, trade policy, and China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The high-level meeting occurred on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum, where Southeast Asian nations voiced unease over President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariff package targeting both rivals and allies in the Indo-Pacific. -
Beijing Condemns Taiwan's HIMARS-Fueled War Games as Island Tests Battle Readiness
Taiwan launched its largest-ever Han Kuang military exercises on Wednesday, initiating 10 days of live-fire drills simulating a Chinese assault on its command systems and communications infrastructure. The exercises began just hours after a Chinese military spokesperson reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to "inevitable reunification," escalating tensions between the two governments. 
Taiwan launched its largest-ever Han Kuang military exercises on Wednesday, initiating 10 days of live-fire drills simulating a Chinese assault on its command systems and communications infrastructure. The exercises began just hours after a Chinese military spokesperson reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to "inevitable reunification," escalating tensions between the two governments. -
China Arrests 8 as Lead-Contaminated School Meals Poison Over 200 Children in Gansu
Eight individuals have been arrested in China following a food safety scandal in which over 200 kindergarten children in Gansu province were diagnosed with lead poisoning after consuming contaminated meals at their school. 
Eight individuals have been arrested in China following a food safety scandal in which over 200 kindergarten children in Gansu province were diagnosed with lead poisoning after consuming contaminated meals at their school. -
China Targets German Military Plane With Laser Over Red Sea, Berlin Furious
Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to Berlin on Tuesday after a Chinese warship allegedly directed a laser at a German surveillance aircraft taking part in a European Union maritime security operation over the Red Sea, escalating tensions between the two countries amid concerns over China's military activity in international waters. 
Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to Berlin on Tuesday after a Chinese warship allegedly directed a laser at a German surveillance aircraft taking part in a European Union maritime security operation over the Red Sea, escalating tensions between the two countries amid concerns over China's military activity in international waters. -
Over 3,900 Refugees Flee Myanmar Clashes, Cross into India’s Mizoram as Armed Chin Groups Battle for Territory
More than 3,900 refugees have fled into India's Mizoram state from neighboring Myanmar following intense clashes between two anti-junta Chin armed groups in Myanmar's northwestern Chin State, Indian officials said Monday. The ongoing violence has created a fresh humanitarian crisis along the India-Myanmar border, displacing thousands and straining local resources. 
More than 3,900 refugees have fled into India's Mizoram state from neighboring Myanmar following intense clashes between two anti-junta Chin armed groups in Myanmar's northwestern Chin State, Indian officials said Monday. The ongoing violence has created a fresh humanitarian crisis along the India-Myanmar border, displacing thousands and straining local resources. -
North Korean Man Crosses Heavily Fortified DMZ on Foot, Detained by South Korean Troops After 20-Hour Operation
A North Korean civilian was taken into custody by South Korean forces early Thursday after making a rare defection across the heavily militarized Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the central-western front line between Yeoncheon and Paju in Gyeonggi Province, military officials said. 
A North Korean civilian was taken into custody by South Korean forces early Thursday after making a rare defection across the heavily militarized Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the central-western front line between Yeoncheon and Paju in Gyeonggi Province, military officials said. -
U.S. Lifts Chip Software Curbs on China as Trade Truce Framework Holds
The Biden administration has lifted export restrictions on chip-design software to China, easing one of the more contentious trade controls imposed amid escalating tensions earlier this year. The move, announced Thursday by major U.S. and European software firms, signals incremental progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations and comes as both sides begin rolling back retaliatory measures. 
The Biden administration has lifted export restrictions on chip-design software to China, easing one of the more contentious trade controls imposed amid escalating tensions earlier this year. The move, announced Thursday by major U.S. and European software firms, signals incremental progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations and comes as both sides begin rolling back retaliatory measures. -
Dalai Lama Asserts Sole Authority Over Succession, Rejects Chinese Control Ahead of 90th Birthday
The 14th Dalai Lama declared that his spiritual lineage will continue after his death and insisted that China will have no role in selecting his successor, signaling a fresh challenge to Beijing just days before his 90th birthday celebrations. 
The 14th Dalai Lama declared that his spiritual lineage will continue after his death and insisted that China will have no role in selecting his successor, signaling a fresh challenge to Beijing just days before his 90th birthday celebrations. -
Kim Jong-un Honors Fallen Troops in Rare Tribute as North Korea Confirms 600 Deaths in Ukraine War
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered a rare public tribute to soldiers killed while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine, placing his hands on their repatriated coffins during a state event in Pyongyang, signaling a significant shift in the regime's public acknowledgment of its military role in the conflict. 
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered a rare public tribute to soldiers killed while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine, placing his hands on their repatriated coffins during a state event in Pyongyang, signaling a significant shift in the regime's public acknowledgment of its military role in the conflict. -
Thailand’s PM Suspended After Leaked Call With Hun Sen Triggers Ethics Probe and Coalition Collapse
Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty following a leaked diplomatic call with Cambodia's former leader, triggering a political crisis and reigniting tensions between the Shinawatra dynasty and the military-backed establishment. 
Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty following a leaked diplomatic call with Cambodia's former leader, triggering a political crisis and reigniting tensions between the Shinawatra dynasty and the military-backed establishment.
