Incredible but true: In the first quarter of this year, the EU had a goods trade deficit with China of €98 billion. That is more than €1 billion a day.
“The situation is quite simply unsustainable,” thundered António Costa, president of the European Council, last week. Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission is no less indignant and has announced a new law that could force companies to spread their purchases across more countries and suppliers.
The idea is that companies in strategic sectors should not place almost their entire value chain in China if the product is critical to Europe. This could apply to rare earths, permanent magnets, battery materials, semiconductors and defence-related components that could bring European industry to a halt if Beijing tightens the screws.
fredag 26. juni 2026
China’s top military brass undergo 10-week Xi Jinping orientation
China’s top military brass, ranking from Major Generals upward, have just completed a 10-week schooling to become Xi Jinping complaint in their ideological outlook and loyalty. The unprecedented ideology training camp – studying President Xi Jinping’s speeches, reading corrupt cadres’ confessions and marching in formation – took place as the anti-corruption drive in the military deepened, reported the scmp.com Jun 25, citing People’s Liberation Army Daily, the Chinese military’s official newspaper, Jun 24.
The report said Xi personally decided to launch the exercise, which began on April 8, stressing in his opening ceremony speech, “leading officers, especially senior cadres, must take the lead in … building an atmosphere where people speak the truth, offer advice candidly and fight against wrongdoings.”
The report said Xi personally decided to launch the exercise, which began on April 8, stressing in his opening ceremony speech, “leading officers, especially senior cadres, must take the lead in … building an atmosphere where people speak the truth, offer advice candidly and fight against wrongdoings.”
More than 5,300 people still held in Myanmar scam centres: rights group
More than 5,300 people remain trapped in online scam centres in Myanmar near the Thai border, despite a multinational crackdown in the region last year, a human rights group says.
The Thai-based Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (CSNHTV) sent a letter to Thai police urging them to take action. It said many of those trapped were foreign nationals held at four locations inside areas controlled by the Myanmar Democratic Karen Buddhist Army militia.
According to the CSNHTV, an estimated 1,600 people trapped are Chinese nationals, and about 200 are people of Myanmar, along with people from the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. “Many of these compounds have yet to be dismantled or subjected to rescue operations to free all remaining victims,” it said.
The Thai-based Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (CSNHTV) sent a letter to Thai police urging them to take action. It said many of those trapped were foreign nationals held at four locations inside areas controlled by the Myanmar Democratic Karen Buddhist Army militia.
According to the CSNHTV, an estimated 1,600 people trapped are Chinese nationals, and about 200 are people of Myanmar, along with people from the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. “Many of these compounds have yet to be dismantled or subjected to rescue operations to free all remaining victims,” it said.
South Korean court jails former first lady for seven years in bribery case
South Korea’s former First Lady, Kim Keon Hee, has been handed a seven-year sentence for taking bribes during and after her husband President Yoon Suk Yeol’s time in office.
Kim was found guilty of accepting jewellery, an expensive designer handbag and other luxury items in exchange for political favours by the Seoul Central District Court on Friday. “She exercised her power as first lady to offer jobs and business favours,” lead judge Cho Sun-pyo said, adding that she received the bribes “without hesitation”.
Kim was fined 64.8 million won ($42,000) and the court ordered the confiscation of the items she received. She denied the charges, saying the gifts weren’t bribes and her lawyers said she will appeal.
Kim was found guilty of accepting jewellery, an expensive designer handbag and other luxury items in exchange for political favours by the Seoul Central District Court on Friday. “She exercised her power as first lady to offer jobs and business favours,” lead judge Cho Sun-pyo said, adding that she received the bribes “without hesitation”.
Kim was fined 64.8 million won ($42,000) and the court ordered the confiscation of the items she received. She denied the charges, saying the gifts weren’t bribes and her lawyers said she will appeal.
North Korea jump-starts naval buildup by commissioning its largest-ever warship
North Korea on Tuesday commissioned its largest-ever warship, a 5,000-ton destroyer that military analysts say could give Pyongyang’s adversaries something more to think about in a time of crisis.
In a speech at Nampho Shipyard on the country’s west coast, leader Kim Jong Un said the introduction represented a new chapter in its military history, declaring that its navy has “put an end to over 70 years of its stagnation.”
“In terms of military hardware, the navy was the weakest of all the services of our armed forces,” Kim said, according to a report from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). “Things have changed obviously now. The combat capability of our navy will grow to be admirable beyond imagination.”
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In a speech at Nampho Shipyard on the country’s west coast, leader Kim Jong Un said the introduction represented a new chapter in its military history, declaring that its navy has “put an end to over 70 years of its stagnation.”
“In terms of military hardware, the navy was the weakest of all the services of our armed forces,” Kim said, according to a report from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). “Things have changed obviously now. The combat capability of our navy will grow to be admirable beyond imagination.”
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‘Salami slicing’: How China is trying to increase control in the Pacific
In a span of just a few weeks, China’s ships have carried out “law enforcement” activities farther from its mainland than ever before, mapped a highly sensitive seabed and conducted “research” inside a highly contested lagoon more than 500 miles from its shores.
China has long been accused of “salami-slicing” to advance its territorial claims in the Pacific, taking small steps well below the threshold of kinetic war to assert its control over areas where its claims to sovereignty under international law are unclear at best – and illegal at worst.
Analysts say the latest moves are an attempt to advance its presence beyond an island chain seen by Beijing and Washington as a critical line of control in the western Pacific. They add they could be particularly worrying for Taiwan, the self-ruled island China has vowed to “reunify” with one day – by force if necessary.
China has long been accused of “salami-slicing” to advance its territorial claims in the Pacific, taking small steps well below the threshold of kinetic war to assert its control over areas where its claims to sovereignty under international law are unclear at best – and illegal at worst.
Analysts say the latest moves are an attempt to advance its presence beyond an island chain seen by Beijing and Washington as a critical line of control in the western Pacific. They add they could be particularly worrying for Taiwan, the self-ruled island China has vowed to “reunify” with one day – by force if necessary.
India’s viral youth movement has moved from memes to the streets. Their leader tells CNN why
What started as an online joke has now spilled onto the streets of India’s capital.
Since Saturday, Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, has been camped out in the heart of New Delhi, leading a crowd of protesters who are refusing to leave until the country’s education minister resigns over a national exam system mired in scandal. “We are here for the long haul, no matter how many days it takes,” Dipke told CNN from the protest site on this week, as dozens gathered around him in support. “We are going to be here until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”
Since Saturday, Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, has been camped out in the heart of New Delhi, leading a crowd of protesters who are refusing to leave until the country’s education minister resigns over a national exam system mired in scandal. “We are here for the long haul, no matter how many days it takes,” Dipke told CNN from the protest site on this week, as dozens gathered around him in support. “We are going to be here until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”
The Meltdown: One day that captures how Trump has gone from unpredictable to chaotic
A desultory, grievance-filled speech on what should have been a joyous occasion. The last-minute cancellation of a rare bipartisan bill signing in favor of yet another push for doomed, unpopular legislation. A loud confrontation with members of his own party followed by sneering remarks about some of the nation’s oldest allies. And a nonsensical accusation that, if we have it right, blames the algae-filled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool not on his rushed renovations but on knife-wielding vandals … and maybe Barack Obama.
The Faint Hope for Peace Between India and Pakistan
Around 14 long months have passed since India and Pakistan fought a four-day war. The brief and dangerous conflict has left relations between the nuclear-armed rivals dangerously tense. Still, a survey of historical precedents, an evaluation of contemporary geo-economics, and a growing awareness of the grim dangers of renewed escalation suggest the relationship could gradually improve. At least, until the next crisis hits.
The conflict in May 2025 was arguably the most serious between India and Pakistan since the war of 1971. Their last major military confrontation was in 1999, when they fought for nearly three months in the mountains of Kargil in the disputed region of Kashmir. But that clash was localized
.The four-day war was brief but fierce, with hostilities waged across vast geographies. Drones and missiles were fired deep into each country’s territory, and both militaries deployed weaponry and defense technologies sourced from multiple countries. Pakistan drew on Chinese and Turkish equipment; India relied on French and Israeli weapons.
The conflict in May 2025 was arguably the most serious between India and Pakistan since the war of 1971. Their last major military confrontation was in 1999, when they fought for nearly three months in the mountains of Kargil in the disputed region of Kashmir. But that clash was localized
.The four-day war was brief but fierce, with hostilities waged across vast geographies. Drones and missiles were fired deep into each country’s territory, and both militaries deployed weaponry and defense technologies sourced from multiple countries. Pakistan drew on Chinese and Turkish equipment; India relied on French and Israeli weapons.
Race to record China’s vanishing Dong minority heritage
The Dong people in China are an Indigenous ethnic group who are known to have lived in the mountainous regions of southwestern China for about 600 years. They don’t have a written language – instead, their cultural knowledge is shared by word of mouth. This means that the outside world doesn’t know much about them.
But an ambitious university-led research project to document the Dong people’s distinctive architecture is revealing a great deal about this marginalized Indigenous group’s way of life.
There are an estimated 3 million Dong people living in the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi. They are renowned for their polyphonic choral singing, which has been inscribed by UNESCO since 2009 as an example of world-class intangible cultural heritage. Their architecture, landscape and refined agricultural terracing are also distinctive, but less well known and never digitally recorded.
But an ambitious university-led research project to document the Dong people’s distinctive architecture is revealing a great deal about this marginalized Indigenous group’s way of life.
There are an estimated 3 million Dong people living in the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi. They are renowned for their polyphonic choral singing, which has been inscribed by UNESCO since 2009 as an example of world-class intangible cultural heritage. Their architecture, landscape and refined agricultural terracing are also distinctive, but less well known and never digitally recorded.
China’s humanoid robots moving in as Asia’s workforce ages out
While the world focuses on the “tech cold war” and “de-risking” between the US and China, a quiet “tech truce” is unfolding at the baggage loading areas of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. As Japan faces a critical labor shortage and an aging workforce, it is turning to Chinese-made humanoid robots to handle baggage — a pragmatic move where biological limits override geopolitical friction on the airport floor. When an advanced humanoid can cost a mere US$4,900, “de-risking” becomes a geopolitical luxury that aging societies can no longer afford.
This commentary moves beyond the “Drunken Fist” spectacles of robot exhibitions to explore the brutal reality of Asia’s logistics landscape. I argue that the universal agony of the human spine has become the only true “neutral ground” left in an era of geopolitical friction.
This commentary moves beyond the “Drunken Fist” spectacles of robot exhibitions to explore the brutal reality of Asia’s logistics landscape. I argue that the universal agony of the human spine has become the only true “neutral ground” left in an era of geopolitical friction.
China built Indonesia’s nickel boom. Will it stay for the bust?
When PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) began operating in North Morowali, it represented everything Indonesia wanted its nickel industry to become.
Built with US$2.7 billion in Chinese investment, inaugurated by then-President Joko Widodo in 2021 and designated a National Strategic Project, the smelter was supposed to prove that Indonesia could move beyond exporting raw ore and become a manufacturing powerhouse.Its latest troubles tell a different story. The Jakarta Commercial Court recently placed GNI under temporary debt restructuring after petitions from two shipping companies over unpaid obligations.
The timing is telling. GNI is affiliated with Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry, one of China’s largest stainless steel producers, which has itself been struggling financially. Whether GNI ultimately recovers is less important than what its predicament says about the direction of Indonesia’s broad nickel industry.
Built with US$2.7 billion in Chinese investment, inaugurated by then-President Joko Widodo in 2021 and designated a National Strategic Project, the smelter was supposed to prove that Indonesia could move beyond exporting raw ore and become a manufacturing powerhouse.Its latest troubles tell a different story. The Jakarta Commercial Court recently placed GNI under temporary debt restructuring after petitions from two shipping companies over unpaid obligations.
The timing is telling. GNI is affiliated with Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry, one of China’s largest stainless steel producers, which has itself been struggling financially. Whether GNI ultimately recovers is less important than what its predicament says about the direction of Indonesia’s broad nickel industry.
tirsdag 23. juni 2026
Apart from China, Asia isn’t afraid of a remilitarizing Japan
China is harping non-stop about resurging Japanese “militarism” – but almost nobody in the Asia-Pacific region is listening – or believes it. The more China blusters and warns of a dangerous Japan, the more ridiculous it looks and the better Japan appears by comparison.
Make no mistake, Japan caused plenty of misery in the region during the 1930s and 1940s. But World War II ended 81 years ago and today’s democratic, consensually governed Japan is another country. That’s been obvious for a long time. Even in 1990, when US Marine General Hank Stackpole described US forces in Japan as the “cap in the bottle” that kept Japanese militarism in check, the idea seemed outdated.
Japan is well-liked in most of Asia, and has been for decades. Japanese investment and economic assistance are welcomed across Asia, and Japan’s role in regional security is now widely taken for granted.
Make no mistake, Japan caused plenty of misery in the region during the 1930s and 1940s. But World War II ended 81 years ago and today’s democratic, consensually governed Japan is another country. That’s been obvious for a long time. Even in 1990, when US Marine General Hank Stackpole described US forces in Japan as the “cap in the bottle” that kept Japanese militarism in check, the idea seemed outdated.
Japan is well-liked in most of Asia, and has been for decades. Japanese investment and economic assistance are welcomed across Asia, and Japan’s role in regional security is now widely taken for granted.
China’s humanoid robots moving in as Asia’s workforce ages out
While the world focuses on the “tech cold war” and “de-risking” between the US and China, a quiet “tech truce” is unfolding at the baggage loading areas of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
As Japan faces a critical labor shortage and an aging workforce, it is turning to Chinese-made humanoid robots to handle baggage — a pragmatic move where biological limits override geopolitical friction on the airport floor. When an advanced humanoid can cost a mere US$4,900, “de-risking” becomes a geopolitical luxury that aging societies can no longer afford.
As Japan faces a critical labor shortage and an aging workforce, it is turning to Chinese-made humanoid robots to handle baggage — a pragmatic move where biological limits override geopolitical friction on the airport floor. When an advanced humanoid can cost a mere US$4,900, “de-risking” becomes a geopolitical luxury that aging societies can no longer afford.
China sanctions US defense, rare earth firms in retaliation
China hit back at Washington on Monday with a sweeping two-pronged retaliation, barring government departments from buying products from 46 US defense contractors and blacklisting 10 American companies from receiving Chinese dual-use exports.
The Ministry of Finance announced that procurement entities are prohibited from purchasing products manufactured by the 46 US firms, a list headed by Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The restrictions, which exempt US-funded enterprises operating within Chin, took effect immediately.
The Ministry of Finance announced that procurement entities are prohibited from purchasing products manufactured by the 46 US firms, a list headed by Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The restrictions, which exempt US-funded enterprises operating within Chin, took effect immediately.
The future of oil prices may depend on China
As the US and Iran hammer out how to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart the flow of Middle Eastern oil, the market’s next move may depend on one country absent from the negotiations: China.
The world’s second-largest consumer of crude oil, China, has pulled out all the stops to preserve supplies as the war in Iran has cut off access to more than 11 million barrels of oil per day. By cutting down on imports, relying on vast stockpiles and utilizing more clean energy, China has been able to cushion the impact of higher prices at home, if not alleviate it completely.
Those actions have been felt in the global market as well.
After more than three months of war, some analysts predicted oil prices could surge as high as $200 a barrel this year. However, even as total estimated supply losses have surpassed 1 billion barrels of oil, crude prices have remained relatively muted. Many analysts point to China as a primary reason.
The world’s second-largest consumer of crude oil, China, has pulled out all the stops to preserve supplies as the war in Iran has cut off access to more than 11 million barrels of oil per day. By cutting down on imports, relying on vast stockpiles and utilizing more clean energy, China has been able to cushion the impact of higher prices at home, if not alleviate it completely.
Those actions have been felt in the global market as well.
After more than three months of war, some analysts predicted oil prices could surge as high as $200 a barrel this year. However, even as total estimated supply losses have surpassed 1 billion barrels of oil, crude prices have remained relatively muted. Many analysts point to China as a primary reason.
China reports completion of first large-scale hydropower station on main stream of Yarlung Tsangpo
China has formally completed on Jun 14 the first large-scale hydropower station on the main stream of the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet, following the conclusion of its final acceptance check. An acceptance check is the final testing phase used to confirm that a product or system meets the original business requirements and is ready for release. China is also building the world largest hydropower dam on the same river system before it enters India and then Bangladesh, raising serious ecological, geological, and geostrategic concerns both within and outside occupied Tibet.
The acceptance opinions state that the key project of the Zangmu hydropower station has been fully completed in accordance with the approved design scale and plans. Since the reservoir began water impoundment, it has withstood 11 flood seasons, reported China’s official globaltimes.cn Jun 14, citing Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited under Power China which was responsible for the planning, demonstration and full-stage survey and design.
The acceptance opinions state that the key project of the Zangmu hydropower station has been fully completed in accordance with the approved design scale and plans. Since the reservoir began water impoundment, it has withstood 11 flood seasons, reported China’s official globaltimes.cn Jun 14, citing Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited under Power China which was responsible for the planning, demonstration and full-stage survey and design.
Another Xi Jinping thought is made China’s official party doctrine
China’s ruling Communist Party has coined a new phrase to make Xi Jinping the country’s ideological Czar on Party Building, stressing governing the party with discipline and unified leadership, under him of course. In this connection, the Central Leading Group for Party Building of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has issued a notice on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, reported China’ s sate news agency Xinhua Jun 18. The aim is, of course, to strengthen the party’s grip on power in a changing world.
China already has Xi Jinping thoughts in other areas such as the economy, military, diplomacy (Xiplomacy), and culture under the overarching rubric of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
China already has Xi Jinping thoughts in other areas such as the economy, military, diplomacy (Xiplomacy), and culture under the overarching rubric of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
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