News
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Has China Decided That ‘Moderately Prosperous’ Is Good Enough?
As China’s growth model sputters and Xi Jinping prioritizes repression over reform, China looks unlikely to join the ranks of developed countries. China has a new set of economic goals—and they’re far less ambitious than those of past decades. In October, when the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) met to endorse President […]
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PH ‘within striking distance’: China seen gearing up for full naval base operations on Kagitingan Reef
MANILA, Philippines—China’s biggest military transport plane landed recently on Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross) in the West Philippine Sea, giving a glimpse of what could happen if the Chinese base there becomes fully operational. A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Y-20 transporter was spotted on Kagitingan Reef last Dec. 25, Hong Kong-based news agency […]
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South China Sea: India and Japan’s joint pact sparks Beijing anger as tensions rise
SOUTH CHINA SEA TENSIONS ESCALATED AFTER INDIA AND JAPAN MADE A JOINT VOW TO ENSURE BEIJING’S TIGHTENING GRIP ON THE MOST COVETED WATERS IN THE WORLD DOES NOT SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL, AND INTO CONFLICT. SOUTH CHINA SEA: MILITARY EXERCISES ‘MUST CONTINUE’ SAYS EXPERT India and Japan’s defence ministers, Rajnath Singh and Nobuo Kishi respectively, […]
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What Does Vietnam Want from the US in the South China Sea?
Despite seeking a balance between the superpowers, Vietnam desires more robust security ties with Washington. As the incoming Biden administration formulates its South China Sea strategy, one regional partner that looms large is Vietnam. Over the last few years, tensions between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea have remained high, impacting fishing and […]
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Marines Prepare for Rising Challenge From China’s Military With Island Training
The exercise reflected a new emphasis on small, dispersed troop units and command centers, which are intended to be harder to locate and destroy. The simulation was one of the first to be directed from a command hub consisting of three armored vehicles that can be set up or moved in minutes and emit fewer […]
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Beijing says ‘new window of hope’ is opening as it offers Biden admin an olive branch
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has offered an olive branch to the incoming Biden administration, saying a “new window of hope” is opening. In a wide-ranging interview with state news agency Xinhua published on Saturday, he urged the Biden administration to adopt a sensible approach and restart engagement with China to get bilateral ties back […]
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Beijing prepares for ‘World War III’ with US in South China Sea as military spending SOARS
CONGRESS has approved a new $740.5bn (£541.9bn) defence spending bill overturning President Trump’s veto as a Senator warned of “World War III” with Beijing. This was achieved by a cross-party alliance of Democrat and Republican lawmakers. The bill included a five year $18.5bn (£13.5bn) ‘Pacific Deterrence Initiative’ to boost the US military presence in the […]
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China’s largest military cargo plane flew to a base in the South China Sea, but it’s not clear why
China flew its biggest warplane, the Y-20 transporter, to Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed South China Sea on December 25, satellite images show. The huge aircraft was seen on the airstrip on the militarised reef in the Spratly Islands but was not observed loading or unloading cargo. The images were posted on LinkedIn on […]
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Vietnam pins hopes on Japan to face down Beijing in South China Sea oil hunt
HANOI IS PROCEEDING WITH JOINT DRILLING VENTURES WITH JAPANESE FIRMS IN THE DISPUTED WATERWAY DESPITE THE FAILURE OF SIMILAR PROJECTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES BUT ANALYSTS SAY CHINA IS LIKELY TO TEST VIETNAM THROUGH MARITIME PROVOCATIONS IF THE ENERGY VENTURES GO AHEAD When the Japanese energy firm Inpex in November settled a four-year legal battle against […]
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South China Sea: Biden ‘unlikely’ to stop Trump anti-Beijing policy in ‘larger’ trade war
JOE BIDEN has his hands tied over the US’ approach to the South China Sea, and is tipped to carry on Donald Trump’s policy in the disputed waters as the trade conflict between Washington and Beijing moves to “larger issues”. Nick Marro, Global Trade Lead at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), told Express.co.uk the President-elect […]
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South China Sea CRISIS: Beijing sends second warship for trials as Taiwan tensions soar
CHINA has started sea trials of its second amphibious assault ship, months after launch, which could be deployed in the South China Sea. The ship, called the Type 075, is known as a Landing Helicopter Dock. According to reports, it set sail from the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. The ship is heading towards the […]
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USS John S. McCain conducts Christmas Eve Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea
According to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer “asserted navigational rights and freedoms near Vietnam in the vicinity of the Con Dao Island in the South China Sea” on Thursday. “The ship conducted normal operations within Vietnam’s claimed territorial seas to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access and navigational […]