Could President Donald Trump be forced to cancel his planned visit to China for the second time?
Speculation is running high in both Beijing and Washington D.C.. In the Strait of Hormuz, confrontations have now entered their eighth week, and Trump is struggling to find a way out of the predicament.
Earlier this year, the White House announced that he would visit China at the turn of March and April. When he realized that the war with Iran prevented him from traveling, the visit was postponed to May 14–15. But even this schedule may collapse. In both countries, thousands of people are involved in the preparations, not least the Chinese leadership, which is eager to see a swift end to the war.
“The law of the jungle in international politics must come to an end,” said President and Party leader Xi Jinpingrecently. He did not mention the United States by name, but there was no doubt whom he was referring to. Official Chinese media have, from the outset, described the U.S. war against Iran as irresponsible and dangerous.
fredag 24. april 2026
Torbjørn Færøvik: Bør Trump droppe Kina-besøket?
Kan president Trump bli tvunget til å avlyse sitt planlagte besøk i Kina for andre gang?
Spekulasjonene går høyt i både Beijing og Washington. I Hormuzstredet fortsetter konfrontasjonene på åttende uke, og Trump strever med å finne en vei ut av uføret.
Tidligere i år kunngjorde Det hvite hus at han skulle besøke Kina i månedsskiftet mars-april. Da han innså at krigen mot Iran hindret ham i å reise, ble besøket flyttet til 14. og 15. mai. Men også denne tidsplanen kan sprekke. I begge land er flere tusen mennesker involvert i forberedelsene, ikke minst de kinesiske lederne, som ønsker en rask slutt på krigen.
«Det må bli slutt på jungelens lov i internasjonal politikk», sa president og partisjef Xi Jinping nylig. Han nevnte ikke USA ved navn, men det var ingen tvil om hvem han siktet til. Offisielle kinesiske medier har siden starten omtalt USAs krig mot Iran som uansvarlig og farlig.
Spekulasjonene går høyt i både Beijing og Washington. I Hormuzstredet fortsetter konfrontasjonene på åttende uke, og Trump strever med å finne en vei ut av uføret.
Tidligere i år kunngjorde Det hvite hus at han skulle besøke Kina i månedsskiftet mars-april. Da han innså at krigen mot Iran hindret ham i å reise, ble besøket flyttet til 14. og 15. mai. Men også denne tidsplanen kan sprekke. I begge land er flere tusen mennesker involvert i forberedelsene, ikke minst de kinesiske lederne, som ønsker en rask slutt på krigen.
«Det må bli slutt på jungelens lov i internasjonal politikk», sa president og partisjef Xi Jinping nylig. Han nevnte ikke USA ved navn, men det var ingen tvil om hvem han siktet til. Offisielle kinesiske medier har siden starten omtalt USAs krig mot Iran som uansvarlig og farlig.
China teases new aircraft carrier, vows to build up islands
China on Wednesday teased in a video an aircraft carrier that could be its fourth, and the first using nuclear power, while making an allusion to Taiwan and vowing to further build up its islands, as it looks to boost maritime power, secure resources and bolster territorial claims.
The video, issued on the eve of the 77th founding anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, featured fictional officers with names that are homophones of three commissioned aircraft carriers, the Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian.
Titled Into the Deep, it showed a 19-year-old named “Hejian” (何劍) joining the group, sparking public speculation that it was referring to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, as the navy recruit’s name is a homophone of “nuclear vessel” (hejian), in Mandarin.
The video, issued on the eve of the 77th founding anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, featured fictional officers with names that are homophones of three commissioned aircraft carriers, the Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian.
Titled Into the Deep, it showed a 19-year-old named “Hejian” (何劍) joining the group, sparking public speculation that it was referring to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, as the navy recruit’s name is a homophone of “nuclear vessel” (hejian), in Mandarin.
US urged to act over Chinese pressure
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday urged Washington not to normalize Chinese pressure, while a US lawmaker called on the US government to hold countries accountable for yielding to Beijing’s pressure to block President William Lai’s planned trip to Eswatini.
Lai had been scheduled to visit Eswatini to attend birthday events for King Mswati III of Eswatini this week, but on Tuesday, the eve of his planned departure on Wednesday, the Presidential Office said the trip was “suspended” after the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly withdrew overflight permission.
“China reportedly pressured Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar to deny airspace access to Taiwan’s President Lai, escalating Beijing’s campaign to isolate Taiwan,” the committee wrote on X.
Lai had been scheduled to visit Eswatini to attend birthday events for King Mswati III of Eswatini this week, but on Tuesday, the eve of his planned departure on Wednesday, the Presidential Office said the trip was “suspended” after the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly withdrew overflight permission.
“China reportedly pressured Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar to deny airspace access to Taiwan’s President Lai, escalating Beijing’s campaign to isolate Taiwan,” the committee wrote on X.
How China is gaining from Iran war by showing it is different from US
As Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz this week, the pragmatic approach Beijing has taken to the US-Israel war on Iran was on full display.
Speaking to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on the phone on Monday, Xi reiterated China’s support for “all efforts conducive to restoring peace and stands for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means”. “The Strait of Hormuz should maintain normal passage, as this serves the common interests of regional countries and the international community,” Xi said, according to a Chinese readout of the call.
The readout did not specifically mention any of the key players in the war, although the United States and Iran have, between them, brought the strategic waterway to a standstill for the past seven weeks. Iran moved to close the strait to most marine traffic following the launch of the war on February 28, while the US launched a blockade of all Iranian ports on April 13.
Speaking to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on the phone on Monday, Xi reiterated China’s support for “all efforts conducive to restoring peace and stands for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means”. “The Strait of Hormuz should maintain normal passage, as this serves the common interests of regional countries and the international community,” Xi said, according to a Chinese readout of the call.
The readout did not specifically mention any of the key players in the war, although the United States and Iran have, between them, brought the strategic waterway to a standstill for the past seven weeks. Iran moved to close the strait to most marine traffic following the launch of the war on February 28, while the US launched a blockade of all Iranian ports on April 13.
Japan builds up its ‘southern shield’ as faith in US security cover falters
Japan’s southern island of Kyushu is known for its volcanic landscape and tonkatsu ramen, but the popular tourist destination is ground zero for one of the greatest shifts in Japan’s defence strategy since 1947, when it formally renounced the use of war to settle international disputes.
In late March, Japan deployed long-range missiles to Kumamoto Prefecture on the island’s southwest coast. Unlike previous defence installations, these missiles could hit China, reflecting the fact that Beijing has ranked as Japan’s top national security threat above North Korea and Russia since 2019.
Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters at the time that “Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment in the post-war era” and the country must strengthen its “deterrence and responsiveness”.
In late March, Japan deployed long-range missiles to Kumamoto Prefecture on the island’s southwest coast. Unlike previous defence installations, these missiles could hit China, reflecting the fact that Beijing has ranked as Japan’s top national security threat above North Korea and Russia since 2019.
Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters at the time that “Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment in the post-war era” and the country must strengthen its “deterrence and responsiveness”.
The Ugly Side of Eswatini-Taiwan Relations
Taiwan’s relations with its last remaining African ally are in the spotlight this week after President Lai Ching-te’s trip to Eswatini was canceled at the last minute, reportedly under pressure from China.
Scheduled for April 22 to 27 to coincide with celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Swazi King Mswati III’s coronation, the visit was shelved when Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar rescinded overflight permits, apparently at Beijing’s behest. With no indication that the visit would be rescheduled, at the time of writing, Lai could only bemoan China’s “coercion” and convey his “sincere wishes” to Mswati for his ruby jubilee.
Africa’s only absolute monarch, Mswati, who was born in 1968 – the same year that Taiwan and Eswatini (then Swaziland) established diplomatic relations – recently celebrated his 58th birthday, another reason for the planned program of activities.
Scheduled for April 22 to 27 to coincide with celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Swazi King Mswati III’s coronation, the visit was shelved when Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar rescinded overflight permits, apparently at Beijing’s behest. With no indication that the visit would be rescheduled, at the time of writing, Lai could only bemoan China’s “coercion” and convey his “sincere wishes” to Mswati for his ruby jubilee.
Africa’s only absolute monarch, Mswati, who was born in 1968 – the same year that Taiwan and Eswatini (then Swaziland) established diplomatic relations – recently celebrated his 58th birthday, another reason for the planned program of activities.
Chinese foreign minister and Thai prime minister agree to collaborate on fighting cyberscams
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday during a visit aimed at strengthening the countries’ strategic partnership and expanding cooperation. The two agreed to strengthen collaboration in fighting transnational crime and cyberscams and other areas, Thai government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said.
She said Anutin thanked China for its continued support for Thailand, while Wang congratulated Anutin on retaining his office after an election and expressed confidence that Thailand-China relations will continue to improve. Anutin greeted Wang at Government House in Bangkok. They shook hands while posing for photographs before the meeting.
She said Anutin thanked China for its continued support for Thailand, while Wang congratulated Anutin on retaining his office after an election and expressed confidence that Thailand-China relations will continue to improve. Anutin greeted Wang at Government House in Bangkok. They shook hands while posing for photographs before the meeting.
Trump administration vows crackdown on Chinese companies ‘exploiting’ AI models made in US
The Trump administration is vowing to crack down on foreign tech companies’ exploitation of U.S. artificial intelligence models, singling out China at a time that country is narrowing the gap with the U.S. in the AI race.
In a Thursday memo, Michael Kratsios, the president’s chief science and technology adviser, accused foreign entities “principally based in China” of engaging in deliberate, industrial-scale campaigns to “distill,” or extract capabilities from, leading AI systems made in the U.S. and “exploiting American expertise and innovation.”
The administration, Kratsios wrote, will work with American AI companies to identify such activities, build defenses and find ways to punish offenders.
In a Thursday memo, Michael Kratsios, the president’s chief science and technology adviser, accused foreign entities “principally based in China” of engaging in deliberate, industrial-scale campaigns to “distill,” or extract capabilities from, leading AI systems made in the U.S. and “exploiting American expertise and innovation.”
The administration, Kratsios wrote, will work with American AI companies to identify such activities, build defenses and find ways to punish offenders.
China’s DeepSeek rolls out a long-anticipated update of its AI model
DeepSeek, the Chinese artificial intelligence startup that shook world markets last year, launched preview versions of its latest major update Friday as the AI rivalry between China and the U.S. heats up. DeepSeek’s V4 has been keenly anticipated by users looking to test how it compares to U.S. competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini. Anthropic and OpenAI have accused DeepSeek of unfairly building its technology off their own.
Some industry analysts had expected the new model to arrive more than two months earlier at the start of the Lunar New Year.
DeepSeek says the new V4 open-source models, which include “pro” and “flash” versions, have big improvements in knowledge, reasoning and in their “agentic” capabilities – the ability to perform complex tasks and workflows autonomously. Another big change is they are supported in part by computer chips made by Chinese tech giant Huawei, reducing DeepSeek’s reliance on U.S. chipmakers like Nvidia.
Some industry analysts had expected the new model to arrive more than two months earlier at the start of the Lunar New Year.
DeepSeek says the new V4 open-source models, which include “pro” and “flash” versions, have big improvements in knowledge, reasoning and in their “agentic” capabilities – the ability to perform complex tasks and workflows autonomously. Another big change is they are supported in part by computer chips made by Chinese tech giant Huawei, reducing DeepSeek’s reliance on U.S. chipmakers like Nvidia.
At Beijing auto show, Chinese carmakers flaunt new technologies as global competition heats up
China’s top automakers are showcasing their latest models and technologies from intelligent driving to ultrafast charging in Beijing as they compete with global rivals in overseas markets.
Analysts say the biennial auto show in China’s capital, which opened to media on Friday, shows how its auto industry is setting the global pace for cutting-edge technologies in areas such as electric vehicles and batteries, eclipsing many foreign brands that used to dominate the global market.
More than 1,450 vehicles are on display at this year’s show, including 181 global debuts. The show runs until May 3. Chinese EV maker XPeng is showing off its latest GX model, a six-seater SUV with a third row seats that can lie completely flat, among other new displays and technologies.
Analysts say the biennial auto show in China’s capital, which opened to media on Friday, shows how its auto industry is setting the global pace for cutting-edge technologies in areas such as electric vehicles and batteries, eclipsing many foreign brands that used to dominate the global market.
More than 1,450 vehicles are on display at this year’s show, including 181 global debuts. The show runs until May 3. Chinese EV maker XPeng is showing off its latest GX model, a six-seater SUV with a third row seats that can lie completely flat, among other new displays and technologies.
onsdag 22. april 2026
Torbjørn Færøvik: Bayon - The Golden Tower in the Middle of the World
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Over the years, I have visited Angkor so many times that I have lost count. The city was the capital of the Khmer Empire, a realm that lasted for more than 600 years—from 802 to 1431. The sight of the great stone temples, such as Angkor Wat and Bayon, leaves an indelible impression on every visitor.
Here you see an AI-generated image of Bayon, the state temple at the heart of the city. From here, more than two hundred stone faces once gazed in all directions—and they still do. At its height, the empire encompassed not only Cambodia but most of Thailand and parts of Laos, Burma, and Vietnam. But was Bayon gilded?
When the Chinese envoy Zhou Daguan arrived in Angkor in 1296, the city and the empire had already passed their zenith. Yet what he saw was more than enough to overwhelm him. In the book he later wrote, he describes temples, rituals, and everyday life—and a “golden tower” that shone in every direction. Scholars believe this tower must have been Bayon. Today it no longer gleams, yet it still inspires both wonder and admiration.
Iran war is turbocharging China’s Africa pivot
The global geoeconomic volatility wrought by the second Donald Trump US presidency and hostilities in the Middle East make the shift in China’s Africa strategy even more important for China and for Africa.
China’s Africa strategy started to shift in 2019, towards investment. It is anchored in Hunan Province. The “Hunan Model” emerged because the “Angola Model” (building infrastructure and extracting resources) faced sustainability hurdles. Given the vulnerability of African countries to shocks, they often struggle to keep up with mounting debt repayments. The other factor was China’s changing domestic needs.
Traditional trade partnerships and growth corridors were also under increasing contestation and subject to high trade barriers. Under these pressures, Beijing selected Hunan Province to become its “project implementation unit” for a new era of trade and development between China and Africa.
China’s Africa strategy started to shift in 2019, towards investment. It is anchored in Hunan Province. The “Hunan Model” emerged because the “Angola Model” (building infrastructure and extracting resources) faced sustainability hurdles. Given the vulnerability of African countries to shocks, they often struggle to keep up with mounting debt repayments. The other factor was China’s changing domestic needs.
Traditional trade partnerships and growth corridors were also under increasing contestation and subject to high trade barriers. Under these pressures, Beijing selected Hunan Province to become its “project implementation unit” for a new era of trade and development between China and Africa.
Japan’s Takaichi chooses guns over butter — at her peril
One reason many economists were disappointed with Sanae Takaichi’s selection as Japanese prime minister last October was concern that economic policy isn’t really her thing.
Sure, the long-time Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker assumed the position of a reformer. She talked of tax cuts, reducing living costs and reviving the supply-side upgrade strategy championed by her mentor, Shinzo Abe.Economists, it now seems clear, were right as the Iran war has Takaichi running back to her real passion: changing Japan’s constitution.
One could argue it’s a defensible pivot as US President Donald Trump upends the global order by starting at least one war. And as Trump redeploys missile systems from Japan and South Korea to the Middle East and grows ever more erratic on the world stage, Takaichi has reason to wonder if the US still has Tokyo’s back.
Sure, the long-time Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker assumed the position of a reformer. She talked of tax cuts, reducing living costs and reviving the supply-side upgrade strategy championed by her mentor, Shinzo Abe.Economists, it now seems clear, were right as the Iran war has Takaichi running back to her real passion: changing Japan’s constitution.
One could argue it’s a defensible pivot as US President Donald Trump upends the global order by starting at least one war. And as Trump redeploys missile systems from Japan and South Korea to the Middle East and grows ever more erratic on the world stage, Takaichi has reason to wonder if the US still has Tokyo’s back.
Why President Trump extended his ceasefire with Iran
President Donald Trump huddled with his national security team Tuesday afternoon at the White House facing a major decision: what to do next with Iran.
His ceasefire deadline was nearing its end, and Air Force Two was sitting on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s scheduled departure to Pakistan for the next round of talks. But the administration was dealing with a conundrum: virtual silence from the Iranians.
In the days prior, the US had sent Iran a list of broad deal points that they wanted the Iranians to agree to in advance of the next round of talks. But days had gone by without the US getting a response, raising suspicions about how much Vance and others could achieve by heading to Pakistan for planned in-person talks, according to three officials familiar with the matter.
His ceasefire deadline was nearing its end, and Air Force Two was sitting on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s scheduled departure to Pakistan for the next round of talks. But the administration was dealing with a conundrum: virtual silence from the Iranians.
In the days prior, the US had sent Iran a list of broad deal points that they wanted the Iranians to agree to in advance of the next round of talks. But days had gone by without the US getting a response, raising suspicions about how much Vance and others could achieve by heading to Pakistan for planned in-person talks, according to three officials familiar with the matter.
Hormuz is just a ‘dry run’ if China and U.S. go to war in the Pacific, Singapore foreign minister warns
Should a war break out between China and the U.S. in the Pacific, “what you are seeing in the Strait of Hormuz will be a dry run,” Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Wednesday. Balakrishnan made the remarks at CNBC’s CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore, responding to a question on whether the city-state was facing any pressure from Washington and Beijing to choose between the two.
Singapore has relationships with both the countries, and is uniquely positioned to take advantage of developments in the U.S. and China, Balakrishnan told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick. The U.S. is Singapore’s largest foreign investor with around 6,000 American companies based in the city-state. Singapore also runs a goods trade deficit with Washington to the tune of about $3.6 billion, according to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Singapore has relationships with both the countries, and is uniquely positioned to take advantage of developments in the U.S. and China, Balakrishnan told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick. The U.S. is Singapore’s largest foreign investor with around 6,000 American companies based in the city-state. Singapore also runs a goods trade deficit with Washington to the tune of about $3.6 billion, according to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Tibet: Is Evident Reality Always Empirical?
Following Tenzin Norsang’s article titled “The Stick Must Stop: Ending Corporal Punishment in Our Tibetan Schools” (tibetanreview.net, Apr 11, 2026), Tenzing Rapgyal* explains how he has effectively dealt with errant students in a situation where corporal punishment is banned, concluding it, however, with a reality check.
The class of 2023 in real life in the peaceful foothills of the Himalayas was not like The Class of 1999 in reel -life in the violent world of Hollywood cinema. But the students of 12thstandard in 2023 became notorious for being the most difficult batch to deal with. Was the evidence of perception empirical in nature?
The class of 2023 in real life in the peaceful foothills of the Himalayas was not like The Class of 1999 in reel -life in the violent world of Hollywood cinema. But the students of 12thstandard in 2023 became notorious for being the most difficult batch to deal with. Was the evidence of perception empirical in nature?
Taiwan president postpones Eswatini visit and says China pressured African countries
Taiwan’s president postponed a visit to Africa this week when three countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories after pressure from China, his office said Tuesday. President Lai Ching-te was set to visit Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, from April 22-26.
But flight permits were canceled in island nations along the route, Secretary-General to the president, Pan Meng-an, told journalists in Taipei.
“The cancellation of flight permits by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar without prior warning was actually due to strong pressure from the Chinese authorities, including economic coercion,” Pan said.
But flight permits were canceled in island nations along the route, Secretary-General to the president, Pan Meng-an, told journalists in Taipei.
“The cancellation of flight permits by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar without prior warning was actually due to strong pressure from the Chinese authorities, including economic coercion,” Pan said.
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