Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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Trump and Xi Hold Phone Talks
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump held phone talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to China's state media Xinhua News. 
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump held phone talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to China's state media Xinhua News. -
China’s Rare Earth Export Curbs Shut European Auto Plants, Threaten Global Supply Chains
Beijing's sweeping export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets are reverberating through the global economy, disrupting production lines from Munich to Detroit and sparking urgent diplomatic engagement. The curbs, imposed in April, have halted shipments of critical minerals used in electric vehicles, aerospace systems, semiconductors, and military hardware, and have led to suspension of output at multiple European auto parts plants. 
Beijing's sweeping export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets are reverberating through the global economy, disrupting production lines from Munich to Detroit and sparking urgent diplomatic engagement. The curbs, imposed in April, have halted shipments of critical minerals used in electric vehicles, aerospace systems, semiconductors, and military hardware, and have led to suspension of output at multiple European auto parts plants. -
China Breaks Silence After Ukraine’s Deep Raid Shreds 41 Russian Warplanes
Ukraine's unprecedented drone attack deep inside Russian territory has drawn a measured but pointed response from China, as Beijing reiterated its opposition to escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war. The operation, dubbed "Spiderweb," reportedly damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft across multiple air bases and caused an estimated $7 billion in losses-one of Kyiv's boldest assaults since the conflict began. 
Ukraine's unprecedented drone attack deep inside Russian territory has drawn a measured but pointed response from China, as Beijing reiterated its opposition to escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war. The operation, dubbed "Spiderweb," reportedly damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft across multiple air bases and caused an estimated $7 billion in losses-one of Kyiv's boldest assaults since the conflict began. -
Liberal Lee Jae-myung Projected to Win South Korea’s Snap Election With 51.7%, Ending Six-Month Leadership Vacuum
Liberal politician Lee Jae-myung is projected to become South Korea's next president, following months of political turmoil triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment. A joint exit poll from major broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS showed Lee securing 51.7% of the vote, ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 39.3%. 
Liberal politician Lee Jae-myung is projected to become South Korea's next president, following months of political turmoil triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment. A joint exit poll from major broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS showed Lee securing 51.7% of the vote, ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 39.3%. -
China Accuses U.S. of Violating Trade Truce Over Chips, Visas, and Sanctions
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have reignited following mutual accusations of violating a fragile trade truce struck last month in Geneva. On Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry accused the United States of breaching the agreement with a trio of new restrictions, escalating fears that the detente may be unraveling before any durable framework could take hold. 
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have reignited following mutual accusations of violating a fragile trade truce struck last month in Geneva. On Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry accused the United States of breaching the agreement with a trio of new restrictions, escalating fears that the detente may be unraveling before any durable framework could take hold. -
Two Japanese Businessmen Killed in China, Sparking Renewed Travel Concerns
Two Japanese men were killed in Dalian, a major port city in northern China, in what Chinese authorities described as a business dispute with a former Chinese partner. The suspect, a 42-year-old man identified by his surname Yuan, was arrested on May 24, one day after local police received a report of the killings. 
Two Japanese men were killed in Dalian, a major port city in northern China, in what Chinese authorities described as a business dispute with a former Chinese partner. The suspect, a 42-year-old man identified by his surname Yuan, was arrested on May 24, one day after local police received a report of the killings. -
China Threatens ‘Forceful Measures’ as Trump Accuses Beijing of Violating Trade Pact
Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated sharply Monday as China accused the United States of breaching the terms of a recent tariff truce and vowed to take "resolute and forceful measures" in retaliation. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the U.S. had violated the May 2025 trade agreement struck in Geneva by imposing new export controls and targeting Chinese nationals, signaling a renewed rupture in relations between the world's two largest economies. Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated sharply Monday as China accused the United States of breaching the terms of a recent tariff truce and vowed to take "resolute and forceful measures" in retaliation. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the U.S. had violated the May 2025 trade agreement struck in Geneva by imposing new export controls and targeting Chinese nationals, signaling a renewed rupture in relations between the world's two largest economies. -
Pentagon Chief Warns of ‘Imminent’ China Threat, Urges Asia Allies to Boost Defense Spending
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Saturday that the United States is prepared to "fight and win" against China if deterrence fails, while calling on Asian allies to sharply increase defense spending in the face of growing military threats in the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth delivered one of the most forceful warnings yet from the Trump administration, describing China as an imminent and destabilizing danger. 
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Saturday that the United States is prepared to "fight and win" against China if deterrence fails, while calling on Asian allies to sharply increase defense spending in the face of growing military threats in the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth delivered one of the most forceful warnings yet from the Trump administration, describing China as an imminent and destabilizing danger. -
China Launches Global Mediation Body in Hong Kong with 30+ Nations Backing New Legal Hub
China formally launched a new international mediation organization in Hong Kong on Friday, drawing support from more than 30 countries in a move Beijing says will elevate the city's status as a global legal hub and expand its influence in international dispute resolution. 
China formally launched a new international mediation organization in Hong Kong on Friday, drawing support from more than 30 countries in a move Beijing says will elevate the city's status as a global legal hub and expand its influence in international dispute resolution. -
China-U.S. Relations Plunge as Trump Targets Visas and Chips, Defying Geneva Agreement
The Trump administration escalated tensions with China this week, unveiling a pair of high-impact policy moves that threaten to upend a fragile trade truce and deepen the ongoing economic and technological decoupling between the world's two largest economies. 
The Trump administration escalated tensions with China this week, unveiling a pair of high-impact policy moves that threaten to upend a fragile trade truce and deepen the ongoing economic and technological decoupling between the world's two largest economies.
