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Seong Hyeon Choi
Reporter, China
Seong Hyeon joined the SCMP in 2022. He is from South Korea and graduated with a bachelor of journalism and master of international and public affairs from the University of Hong Kong. He worked as a research intern for Korea Chair at US foreign policy think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and as a news trainee for NK news.
Seong Hyeon joined the SCMP in 2022. He is from South Korea and graduated with a bachelor of journalism and master of international and public affairs from the University of Hong Kong. He worked as a research intern for Korea Chair at US foreign policy think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and as a news trainee for NK news.
Areas of Expertise:
International affairs, South Korea, North KoreaLanguages Spoken:
English, Korean
Beijing said to be producing anti-ship missiles to hold US Pacific Fleet at distance so PLA can settle matters wherever contingency might be.
The pair aim to show they aren’t boxed in by the first island chain and that Moscow can project power despite the Ukraine war.
Beijing’s challenge is to resist temptation to build the PLA into a ‘hammer looking for a nail’, former US Naval War College professor says.
The weapon is capable of striking targets in the continental US from Chinese waters, making it a key element of Beijing’s nuclear strategy.
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The president hopes his demands will benefit the US defence industry but analysts believe local arms makers may be the main beneficiaries.
Japanese defence ministry says PLA Navy vessels were spotted in the Pacific, southwest of the remote island.
Secretary general says allies are strengthening the alliance after agreeing to higher spending, amid continued pressure from Trump.
After promises of advanced air defence systems to Europe and Ukraine, US president says ‘unification’ was dominant theme of key meeting.
Nato chief Mark Rutte meets top officials from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea on sidelines of Ankara summit.
‘I don’t want to deal with them any more,’ US president says on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Turkey.
US president says he has ‘very good relationship’ with ‘loyal’ Turkey and is weighing up selling F-35 fighter jets to them.
New measures focus on critical minerals, drone capabilities and missile shields as members boost the alliance’s industrial base.
Nato’s secretary general contacts Japan’s defence minister after Chinese nuclear submarine fires test missile into Pacific.
Immediate pressures over Ukraine, Iran and spending mean alliance’s concerns about China could be sidelined at Ankara gathering.
After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.
Europe will selectively cut risks in certain areas, as the cost of freezing out China would be too great, observers say.
Many of the systems on display at Norinco’s Eurosatory stand have been designed to counter smaller aerial threats.
Norinco displaying a model assembly line at a top defence exhibition could mean the firm hopes to make more weapons overseas.
Sea of Japan access may be China’s national aspiration, but neither Beijing nor Pyongyang mentioned it in statements about Xi-Kim summit.
Analysts note the Chinese leader’s remarks were not reported in full by North Korean state media.
The Chinese leader begins his first foreign trip of the year by pledging that the ‘traditional friendship’ between the countries will not change.
Could Xi’s visit indirectly advance North Korea’s military build-up as Pyongyang strengthens ties with Beijing and Moscow?
Swedish think-tank says Beijing now has 620 nuclear warheads and may be increasing deployment as New Start’s expiry ends arms control era.
Northeast Asian neighbours signal closer security ties, but wartime history and Seoul-Beijing relations could stand in the way, analysts say.
To close gap with Chinese fleet, analysts say the US must outsource shipbuilding to South Korea and Japan – but the move risks backlash.
Analyst cites further Indo-Pacific nations eyeing SSNs, with potential to ‘tie together with the broader US alliance system in the region’.
Planned indigenous engine for the most complex UAV technology to support crewed fighter jets ‘a deliberate bid’ by Seoul.
SIPRI says Beijing’s participation in such UN missions helps ‘project an image of itself as a responsible major power’.
Dhaka could be boosting its air power with the reported acquisition of a JF-17 flight simulator.
