https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/265728/feed Rare earths are increasingly important for some high-tech products such as smartphones and hybrid cars. China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of rare earths, accounting for 90 per cent of the world’s supply of all rare earths. In 2011, China has been criticised for curbing rare earth exports, and in 2011 it exported 16,900 tonnes of rare earth, down 58 per cent from year ago. It consumed about 83,000 tonnes, against global demand of 110,000 tonnes in 2011, according to an industry... en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Richard Heydarian Richard Heydarian China and the Philippines recently traded accusations over the medical evacuation of a Philippine serviceman from a grounded naval vessel in the hotly disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident has sparked renewed worries about potential armed skirmishes in a global artery of trade. But Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr was also quick to emphasise the economic dimensions of a major conflict. After a decade of rapid economic growth, the Philippines is facing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370775/philippines-china-free-manufacturing-strategy-high-risk-bet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370775/philippines-china-free-manufacturing-strategy-high-risk-bet?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Oct 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Finbarr Bermingham Finbarr Bermingham Beijing warned Brussels not to “fantasise” that taking a hard line will force it into concessions, as the bloc confirmed plans for a gung-ho new kill switch that will allow Brussels to “immediately” kick China out of the single market. Exactly a week after the two sides struck a surprise deal to restrict the volume of hybrid cars China ships to Europe, the flare-up suggests the threat of a trade war between two of the world’s three biggest economies has far from subsided. “The EU should not... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371217/china-warns-eu-not-fantasise-trade-approach-brussels-confirms-new-kill-switch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371217/china-warns-eu-not-fantasise-trade-approach-brussels-confirms-new-kill-switch?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:30:02 +0000 Sherry Wang,Xinyi Wu Sherry Wang,Xinyi Wu China’s trade momentum gained pace in September – driven by strong global tech demand and a pre-holiday shipping rush ahead of the “golden week” break – logging a monthly high for its trade surplus in 2026 and putting the country on course for another record gap this year. Outbound shipments rose 36.3 per cent year on year to US$447.18 billion last month, customs data showed on Wednesday. The figure exceeded a forecast of 25.7 per cent growth from economists polled by financial data provider... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370799/chinas-trade-momentum-quickens-september-amid-tech-demand-holiday-rush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370799/chinas-trade-momentum-quickens-september-amid-tech-demand-holiday-rush?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:35:08 +0000 Finbarr Bermingham Finbarr Bermingham Weeks of high-wire negotiations between China and the EU culminated in a surprise trade deal that will, among other measures, impose strict quotas on Chinese hybrid car exports to the bloc and slash Chinese tariffs on a variety of European goods. The deal, unveiled on Friday, takes some of the heat out of searing bilateral trade tensions and temporarily averts the prospect of a bruising trade war. Beijing agreed not to retaliate against Brussels’ move to curb imports of Chinese hybrid cars,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3370613/how-china-and-eu-pressed-pause-trade-war-and-what-it-took-get-there?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3370613/how-china-and-eu-pressed-pause-trade-war-and-what-it-took-get-there?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:33:47 +0000 Sherry Wang Sherry Wang Chinese authorities have charged a Shenzhen-listed firm and its chairman over smuggling restricted “dual-use” optical lenses out of the country, in a case that lawyers said underscores the growing risk of criminal prosecution for export control violations as Beijing tightens restrictions on strategic materials and technologies. Nanjing Wavelength Opto-Electronic Science & Technology, which manufactures optical components used in infrared thermal imaging, and chairman Huang Shengdi were among... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370318/china-charges-tech-firm-smuggling-restricted-dual-use-optical-lenses-out-country?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370318/china-charges-tech-firm-smuggling-restricted-dual-use-optical-lenses-out-country?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth Former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher Jacob Coxon said he was 90 per cent certain that China already had spies inside both US artificial intelligence (AI) companies, without providing evidence. Coxon made the allegation in an interview with entrepreneur Patrick Bet-David on the PBD Podcast, arguing that China could steal advances from leading US AI labs and quickly close any technological gap. “Right now, if we just stopped, they would try and catch up. But I think one really important thing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370108/china-already-has-spies-us-ai-labs-claims-ex-anthropic-researcher?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370108/china-already-has-spies-us-ai-labs-claims-ex-anthropic-researcher?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 23:39:15 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat The race to loosen China’s grip on tungsten is moving to Kazakhstan, where United States-backed mining projects are attempting to compete in an industry where Chinese investment already has an operating foothold. Global tungsten prices have surged more than 200 per cent since May 2025, according to commodity and energy information provider Argus Media, adding urgency to efforts to develop alternative supplies. The soaring costs followed Beijing’s export controls on selected tungsten products... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369599/china-has-dominated-tungsten-decades-can-us-cash-central-asia-loosen-its-grip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369599/china-has-dominated-tungsten-decades-can-us-cash-central-asia-loosen-its-grip?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US Republican Senator Steve Daines, a close aide to President Donald Trump and a key interlocutor between Washington and Beijing, has called on the two capitals to stay engaged and “not retreat” over differences on issues including rare earth supply chains. Daines told the South China Morning Post that both sides still had issues that predated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington last week and that they would continue working on them after the summit. “So that’s again why... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369505/no-retreat-key-trump-ally-urges-continued-us-china-engagement-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369505/no-retreat-key-trump-ally-urges-continued-us-china-engagement-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva named China as a possible partner in his critical minerals plans, three days before Sunday’s closely fought election. Lula told Flow, one of the country’s most-watched podcasts, on Thursday evening that Brazil should stop shipping out raw ore. “We want to transform them here in Brazil,” he said of the minerals. Asked whether China fit into his plans, Lula said it could be a partner “bringing technology to us”, as could the United States. “[Donald]... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369636/brazils-lula-hails-bold-chinese-investors-rival-pitches-rare-earths-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369636/brazils-lula-hails-bold-chinese-investors-rival-pitches-rare-earths-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 21:04:21 +0000 Orange Wang,Carol Yang Orange Wang,Carol Yang Zheng Yongnian is a political scientist in China and a government adviser. His academic work is mainly about contemporary China, particularly politics, the country’s transformation and its external relations. SCMP Plus readers get early access to articles in the Open Questions series. Many have offered a lukewarm assessment of the Xi-Trump summit in Washington, citing the lack of a breakthrough. What is your take? There are two primary views right now. One is nihilism, which holds that China and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369546/zheng-yongnian-what-expect-future-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369546/zheng-yongnian-what-expect-future-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:02:11 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Thursday that there is no timeline yet for implementing the US-China Board of Trade, one of the key economic outcomes of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington last week. Speaking on the sidelines of the Group of 20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Greer said the tariff reductions under the mechanism were “a policy outcome” and that the recommendations would have to go through a legal process before... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/economy-trade-business/article/3369490/greer-says-no-specific-timeline-set-enforcing-us-china-board-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/economy-trade-business/article/3369490/greer-says-no-specific-timeline-set-enforcing-us-china-board-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:54:03 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering Latin American relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China pledges to ‘firmly support’ Cuba as US escalates pressure on Havana China will stand by Cuba in defending its sovereignty and resisting outside interference, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said as Washington stepped up its campaign to force political change in Havana. Read... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369252/china-backs-cuba-beijings-panama-threat-new-un-chief-7-latin-america-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369252/china-backs-cuba-beijings-panama-threat-new-un-chief-7-latin-america-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:14 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has described the personal rapport and “mutual respect” between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump as the “most valuable strategic asset in our bilateral relations”. “Their personal connection and in-depth dialogue have helped keep China-US relations on course at critical moments,” Xie said during a speech on Wednesday marking National Day celebrations at the Chinese embassy in Washington. “Head-of-state diplomacy... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369402/xi-trump-rapport-most-valuable-strategic-asset-us-china-ties-envoy-xie-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369402/xi-trump-rapport-most-valuable-strategic-asset-us-china-ties-envoy-xie-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 01:58:50 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche on Monday, just over a week before the next round of trade talks between Beijing and Brussels, amid reports that Germany and France are pushing for a new tool that would enable the EU to swiftly shut China out of the European market. Wang and Reiche “exchanged opinions on the Sino-German and Sino-European economic and trade relations”, according to a short statement published by the Chinese side... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3369133/beijing-and-berlin-exchanged-opinions-amid-reported-plan-shut-china-out-eu-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3369133/beijing-and-berlin-exchanged-opinions-amid-reported-plan-shut-china-out-eu-market?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:31:22 +0000 Xinyi Wu,Mandy Zuo,Alice Li Xinyi Wu,Mandy Zuo,Alice Li The United States and China released details about the non-sensitive goods set for tariff reductions and their agreement to set up an agricultural trade working group after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US last week, though any progress on the two countries’ dispute over rare earths remains absent from official statements. The White House released the lists of the US$30 billion worth of goods on each side recommended for tariff reductions on Sunday, which comprised 77 categories of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369036/us-china-slash-tariffs-basic-goods-crucial-rare-earths-debate-left-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369036/us-china-slash-tariffs-basic-goods-crucial-rare-earths-debate-left-record?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2026 07:00:36 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim Scott Kennedy is a senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. His areas of focus include China’s hi-tech drive, US-China relations and global economic governance. Open Questions first appeared in SCMP Plus. For other interviews in the Open Questions series, click here. How would you characterise the outcomes of the China-US summit compared to expectations going in? Is it largely a continuation of that track or do you... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368936/scott-kennedy-chinas-slow-tech-dragon-and-2-more-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368936/scott-kennedy-chinas-slow-tech-dragon-and-2-more-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu As President Xi Jinping wrapped up his visit to the United States, observers in Europe welcomed the stabilisation of ties between the world’s two largest economies – particularly the two-month extension of their trade truce. But some also fear the continent risks being sidelined by bilateral negotiations in which it had no seat at the table, and opinion is split on whether this is good news for the next round of the European Union’s trade talks with China. “The stabilisation of relations between... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368938/why-xis-us-trip-leaves-europe-relieved-trade-truce-wary-what-comes-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368938/why-xis-us-trip-leaves-europe-relieved-trade-truce-wary-what-comes-next?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:01:19 +0000 Jevans Nyabiage Jevans Nyabiage Mrima Hill, a sacred site about 65km (40 miles) southwest of Mombasa on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, is emerging as a new front in the US-China rivalry for critical minerals. US-led and Chinese bidders are competing for rights to develop the site, which is rich in rare earths and niobium, a metal used to make steel stronger and lighter. American officials have offered to support Kenya’s development of its domestic critical minerals processing industry as Washington seeks to challenge Beijing’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368915/how-kenyas-sacred-mrima-hill-became-new-front-us-china-minerals-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368915/how-kenyas-sacred-mrima-hill-became-new-front-us-china-minerals-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2026 04:00:21 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow There is little question that Jensen Huang and Lisa Su, the heads of US semiconductor chip giants Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), had secured two of the best seats in the house at the White House state dinner on Thursday evening: at the head table alongside the two presidents and their wives. But what remains unclear is how much progress they were able to make on their primary goal of restoring access to the Chinese market, amid entrenched opposition to that happening in both China and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3368918/why-us-chip-controls-took-back-seat-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3368918/why-us-chip-controls-took-back-seat-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 18:57:23 +0000 Sylvia Ma,Frank Chen Sylvia Ma,Frank Chen The Xi-Trump summit may prove more significant for stabilising relations and opening space for further negotiations between the world’s two largest economies than for its immediate trade outcomes, analysts said, pointing to the significance of a new dialogue on artificial intelligence. With the two leaders expected to meet again in the coming months, attention could shift from extending the latest tariff truce to building a more durable framework for managing economic and technological... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368908/trade-truce-extension-aside-was-ai-real-xi-trump-summit-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368908/trade-truce-extension-aside-was-ai-real-xi-trump-summit-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:39:03 +0000 Cao Jiaxuan Cao Jiaxuan The new US-Denmark-Greenland security agreement could narrow China’s room to engage in the Arctic – particularly in resource-rich Greenland – and potentially push Beijing closer to Russia, Chinese experts on the matter said. According to observers, the deal – signed on Tuesday – could have the broader effect of accelerating the securitisation of the Arctic and making Western Arctic states more cautious about cooperation with China. But it would be unlikely to significantly disrupt China’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368889/why-us-deal-greenland-could-narrow-chinas-arctic-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368889/why-us-deal-greenland-could-narrow-chinas-arctic-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:00:06 +0000 Zha Daojiong Zha Daojiong Critical minerals have become a recurring source of friction in international diplomacy, with China’s dominance in the sector and US efforts to build alternative supply chains raising concerns that Southeast Asian countries may be forced to choose between the two powers. But this is a false choice. As important exporters of rare earth elements, Southeast Asian countries have leverage of their own and can use intensifying competition to diversify partnerships and capture more of the value chain... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/opinion/article/3368823/southeast-asia-faces-false-binary-us-china-mineral-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/opinion/article/3368823/southeast-asia-faces-false-binary-us-china-mineral-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Mark Magnier Mark Magnier During their three-day summit that ended on Friday, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping worked overtime to underscore their increasingly close relationship even as the meeting produced few concrete deliverables. But the fact that the two economic and military giants are talking – and pledging to talk some more – suggests some period of relative stability ahead, certainly relative to last year’s all-out trade war, chest-thumping and market turmoil, said analysts, companies... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368875/xi-trump-atmospherics-welcomed-mask-structural-rifts-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368875/xi-trump-atmospherics-welcomed-mask-structural-rifts-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:02:27 +0000 Dewey Sim,Ji Siqi,Vincent Chow Dewey Sim,Ji Siqi,Vincent Chow Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump delivered remarks at the White House on Thursday morning at the start of the second day of Xi’s closely watched state visit. Both leaders spoke warmly of their countries’ ties and pledged deeper cooperation in comments that sought to project an image of stability between the two sides. Trump said he and Xi would work together to build a “better future for both our countries” while Xi called for the two powers to “coexist in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368716/b-2-spirit-ai-cooperation-no-us-china-conflict-key-xi-trump-takeaways-so-far?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368716/b-2-spirit-ai-cooperation-no-us-china-conflict-key-xi-trump-takeaways-so-far?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:44:16 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo China has launched a huge new nationwide hunt for resources ranging from crude oil to rare earths, as it strives to shield its economy from a turbulent geopolitical environment in which raw materials are increasingly becoming instruments of leverage. The upgraded national campaign was designed to uncover and extract more of China’s own resources, as demand for key minerals was expected to keep rising in the coming years, the Ministry of Natural Resources said on Tuesday. The high-profile drive,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368482/china-launches-mineral-exploration-offensive-global-supply-chain-pressures-mount?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368482/china-launches-mineral-exploration-offensive-global-supply-chain-pressures-mount?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:05:07 +0000 Dewey Sim,Igor Patrick Dewey Sim,Igor Patrick US President Donald Trump praised his strong relationship with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in New York on Tuesday, days before he is due to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The talks, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, come as relations between Beijing and Tokyo show no signs of thawing. Both leaders hailed their good working relationship, with Takaichi saying the two countries looked forward to deepening ties. Trump lavished praise on the Japanese... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3368439/trump-praises-takaichi-doing-tremendous-job-ahead-xis-visit-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3368439/trump-praises-takaichi-doing-tremendous-job-ahead-xis-visit-us?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:31:34 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva renewed his backing on Tuesday for a peace initiative he launched with China to end the war in Ukraine, using his opening speech at the UN General Assembly to take thinly veiled aim at the United States over tariffs, military pressure and access to critical minerals. Speaking in New York just days before Brazilians vote in a tight presidential race, Lula described the war between Russia and Ukraine as a five-year humanitarian drama that “continues to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3368437/brazils-lula-backs-china-peace-push-un-tells-us-his-nation-no-ones-backyard?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3368437/brazils-lula-backs-china-peace-push-un-tells-us-his-nation-no-ones-backyard?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:54:35 +0000 Lucy Quaggin Lucy Quaggin The US and China should agree on international regulatory standards for artificial intelligence (AI), akin to atomic-era guardrails, said Ro Khanna, the ranking member of the US House Select Committee on China, in New York on Monday ahead of the two countries’ high-stakes summit. The remarks come two days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to arrive in Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump for a closely watched summit where AI is expected to be on the agenda after the two... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3368311/us-china-need-nuclear-style-ai-safeguards-congressman-says-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3368311/us-china-need-nuclear-style-ai-safeguards-congressman-says-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:48:38 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma When the presidents of the United States and China meet in Washington, the world will be watching to see whether their two countries can make good on their agreement to work towards “constructive strategic stability”. In the fourth part of this series, Sylvia Ma looks at the economic and technological levers available to both in their protracted rivalry. For years, Huawei Technologies has served as a central battleground in the contest between the world’s two largest economies. As Washington... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368262/us-china-tech-war-has-evolved-last-xi-trump-summit-who-has-edge-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368262/us-china-tech-war-has-evolved-last-xi-trump-summit-who-has-edge-now?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:00:06 +0000 Nong Hong Nong Hong Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington this week, after the May talks in Beijing and before the November Apec summit in Shenzhen. This sequence of diplomacy will test if the commitment to building a “constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability” translates into practical arrangements. The Washington meeting faces clear limits. Differences over trade, technology, industrial policy, Taiwan and regional security are deeply embedded in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3368013/success-trump-xi-summit-lies-what-happens-afterwards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3368013/success-trump-xi-summit-lies-what-happens-afterwards?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:30:05 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Tribal leader Petronila Munoz walked across the sweeping Philippine grasslands she has called home for generations, uncertain about its future, as a sprawling tech hub for a US-led initiative takes shape. With little information and no prior consultation, the indigenous chieftain said her Aeta Hungey tribe was uncertain how much of their land could be affected or what would become of the livelihood it provided. “There’s still no clarity,” Munoz said inside the tribe’s traditional meeting hall.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3368189/philippine-tribe-vows-stand-ground-against-us-led-pax-silica-listen-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3368189/philippine-tribe-vows-stand-ground-against-us-led-pax-silica-listen-us?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:02:05 +0000 Sherry Wang,Mia Nurmamat Sherry Wang,Mia Nurmamat China’s exports of key materials to Japan remained on a downward trend in August, with shipment volume of rare earth magnets falling 17.1 per cent from a year earlier, according to the latest customs data. China exported about 212 tonnes of rare earth permanent magnets to Japan last month, down from nearly 256 tonnes a year earlier, according to Chinese customs data released on Sunday. That followed a 52.2 per cent year-on-year plunge in July. Other rare earth products and critical materials... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3368153/chinas-trade-limits-continue-bite-japans-imports-rare-earths-other-minerals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3368153/chinas-trade-limits-continue-bite-japans-imports-rare-earths-other-minerals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:30:25 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat Two established Chinese mining companies plan to jointly acquire and develop gold, copper and other critical mineral projects in Tibet, marking the latest corporate push to tap the region’s resources as Beijing seeks to strengthen domestic supplies of strategic raw materials. Privately controlled Xizang Zhihui Mining and state-owned Zhaojin Nonferrous Mining signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement on Thursday to pursue joint investment in mining projects in the autonomous region. In a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368004/chinese-miners-partner-tap-tibets-critical-minerals-amid-beijings-resource-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368004/chinese-miners-partner-tap-tibets-critical-minerals-amid-beijings-resource-push?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu The next round of China-EU trade talks is set to take place in Beijing from October 8 to 9, Brussels announced on Thursday following a video call between European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, adding that Europe wanted to see a “credible” outcome. The European Commission said that during a call lasting more than an hour, the two sides reviewed “extensive work” carried out at senior-official level covering issues including the management of Chinese exports... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3367937/brussels-announces-next-round-china-eu-trade-talks-be-held-beijing-next-month?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3367937/brussels-announces-next-round-china-eu-trade-talks-be-held-beijing-next-month?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:43:17 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer asked Brazil to review the sale of Anglo American’s nickel mines to a Chinese state-controlled miner in exchange for tariff relief, two people familiar with the negotiations told the South China Morning Post. Washington made the request during talks to lift the 50 per cent tariffs US President Donald Trump imposed on Brazilian goods last year. First reported by Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo and CNN Brazil on Thursday, the proposal would... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367913/us-trade-chief-pressed-brazil-review-anglo-american-nickel-sale-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367913/us-trade-chief-pressed-brazil-review-anglo-american-nickel-sale-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:11:34 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday confirmed that he will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this weekend for the final preparatory talks between the two sides, less than a week before Chinese President Xi Jinping travels to Washington for a bilateral summit with US President Donald Trump. “With China, we have had some very good private discussions, and I look forward to those continuing this weekend when I meet my Chinese counterpart Vice [Premier] He Lifeng,” Bessent said during a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367638/scott-bessent-confirms-weekend-meeting-he-lifeng-days-xis-us-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367638/scott-bessent-confirms-weekend-meeting-he-lifeng-days-xis-us-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:36:03 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick A campaign document belonging to Flavio Bolsonaro, the right-wing front-runner in the presidential election to be held in Brazil next month, offered Washington a rare earths supply chain designed to weaken China’s grip, local news site Amado Mundo reported on Saturday. Written in English and dated March 19, the 22-page presentation was drafted by Andre Marinho, a close Bolsonaro ally who presented the plan to the Rockbridge Network, a group of wealthy conservative donors founded by J.D. Vance in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367328/jd-vance-network-courted-brazils-flavio-bolsonaro-over-anti-china-mineral-deal-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367328/jd-vance-network-courted-brazils-flavio-bolsonaro-over-anti-china-mineral-deal-report?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 22:55:23 +0000 Khushboo Razdan,William Zheng,Dewey Sim Khushboo Razdan,William Zheng,Dewey Sim Rising tensions over artificial intelligence are shaping the final preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States. Washington and Beijing are discussing the possibility of folding a long-awaited AI dialogue into a broader economic meeting in the days before Xi meets US President Donald Trump, according to several people familiar with the arrangements. The two leaders agreed in Beijing in May to launch an intergovernmental dialogue on AI. For months, that channel was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367242/ai-fight-shadows-final-preparations-xi-jinpings-white-house-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367242/ai-fight-shadows-final-preparations-xi-jinpings-white-house-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Gabriel Dominguez Gabriel Dominguez The risk of a conflict over Taiwan is shaping Japanese defence planning, with Tokyo shoring up security at home and abroad for a potentially prolonged fight. But there are economic, demographic and political constraints on how far its military transformation can go. In the third of a three-part series, Gabriel Dominguez examines the various challenges confronting Japan in its bid to expand its military. Driven by the growing risk that a conflict over Taiwan could draw Tokyo into a high-intensity... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3366923/japans-china-facing-military-build-confronts-labour-budget-and-political-limits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3366923/japans-china-facing-military-build-confronts-labour-budget-and-political-limits?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:00:09 +0000 Victoria Bela Victoria Bela Geologists say they have identified a new deposit in central China that can yield high-purity quartz comparable to the quality produced at a critical world-leading mine in the United States. The quartz from the Chinese deposit is described as having “highly similar” properties to the resources produced at North Carolina’s Spruce Pine, which is crucial to the global production of solar panels and semiconductors. In the US, there is a growing call from the industry to use high-purity quartz as a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3366916/quartz-deposit-purity-central-china-highly-similar-us-spruce-pine-standard-study?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3366916/quartz-deposit-purity-central-china-highly-similar-us-spruce-pine-standard-study?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:12:19 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Colombia on Tuesday to meet President Abelardo de la Espriella, sign agreements on critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation and take up the country’s ties to China, in the first visit by a cabinet-level US official since the Colombian leader took office a month ago. Colombia’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Chinese investment in critical infrastructure were on the agenda for the meeting, a Colombian official... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3366833/us-secretary-state-rubio-arrives-colombia-clarify-china-ties-sign-minerals-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3366833/us-secretary-state-rubio-arrives-colombia-clarify-china-ties-sign-minerals-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 19:53:40 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma As Tesla CEO Elon Musk touted the motor of his company’s Cybercab – which, he claims, contains no rare earth elements – debate has emerged over whether the technology could mark a meaningful shift in electric vehicle (EV) supply chains, or undercut one of China’s trump cards in its protracted trade conflict with the US. While the move has been viewed as an effort to reduce the EV industry’s reliance on rare earths – an essential component in the permanent magnets that power electric motors –... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3366746/elon-musk-says-tesla-has-rare-earth-free-motor-should-china-be-worried?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3366746/elon-musk-says-tesla-has-rare-earth-free-motor-should-china-be-worried?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:14:14 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday accused the Donald Trump administration of using the critical minerals contest with China as an excuse for corruption – alleging billions of dollars in deals were enriching the president’s family and friends. “Competition with China is no excuse for abandoning safeguards that prevent taxpayer funds from being misused for private enrichment,” said Linda Sanchez, the Democratic lawmaker from California, at a Ways and Means Committee hearing titled “Strategic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3366169/china-rivalry-no-excuse-us-democrats-allege-corruption-trumps-mining-deals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3366169/china-rivalry-no-excuse-us-democrats-allege-corruption-trumps-mining-deals?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2026 02:18:45 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat China has discovered a major copper and gold deposit in the latest breakthrough in its hunt for metals vital to solar power, new-energy industries and data centre construction. The deposit was found in the central province of Anhui, China Central Television reported on Tuesday, with the main mineralised body about 1.2km long and 1.1km wide and deeper sections yet to be fully delineated. The Ministry of Natural Resources said preliminary estimates suggested the deposit contained the equivalent of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3365997/race-us-critical-resources-china-discovers-major-copper-and-gold-deposit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3365997/race-us-critical-resources-china-discovers-major-copper-and-gold-deposit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:00:10 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat With Washington moving to ensure that tungsten scrap and lithium-ion battery “black mass” stay in the United States, analysts warn that the new restrictions will deprive Chinese refiners of a source of lower-cost feedstock and prompt Beijing to seek alternative supplies. China could also accelerate domestic recycling and use its own export controls on rare earths and magnets as leverage, they said. The administration of US President Donald Trump on Thursday barred exports of tungsten scrap and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3365838/us-export-controls-tungsten-battery-black-mass-seen-pressuring-chinese-recyclers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3365838/us-export-controls-tungsten-battery-black-mass-seen-pressuring-chinese-recyclers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:30:05 +0000 Albert Bakhtizin Albert Bakhtizin In interstate rivalry, countries have many instruments at their disposal, from military conflict to coercive monetary and financial measures. What happens when rival powers have comparable strength, anticipate pressure through financial institutions and take pre-emptive steps to limit its effects, yet the confrontation continues? The struggle then shifts towards trade and sanctions, including attempts to block or control critical chokepoints in the global economy. The first type of chokepoint... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3365316/move-over-strait-hormuz-innovation-chokepoints-are-ones-watch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3365316/move-over-strait-hormuz-innovation-chokepoints-are-ones-watch?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:30:07 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow The United States announced sanctions on a Hong Kong company on Friday for allegedly helping launder funds for a sanctioned Iranian exchange house, the latest Chinese entity to be targeted as part of Washington’s expanded efforts to squeeze Iran’s financial sector. The development comes as Washington has in recent days slapped new Iran-related sanctions on various Chinese entities, prompting Beijing to vow retaliation just weeks before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365670/us-treasury-sanctions-hong-kong-based-firm-over-iran-money-laundering-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365670/us-treasury-sanctions-hong-kong-based-firm-over-iran-money-laundering-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:14:19 +0000 Jevans Nyabiage Jevans Nyabiage A peace plan agreed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 movement last weekend could open the rebel-held Rubaya coltan deposit and other parts of mineral-rich eastern Congo to US investors. But observers say that even a lasting settlement would leave the United States far behind China, whose companies have spent decades building mining assets, relationships and supply chains across the country. The peace road map followed five days of talks and set out steps and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365482/truce-dr-congo-offers-us-mining-foothold-while-chinese-firms-dominate-output?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365482/truce-dr-congo-offers-us-mining-foothold-while-chinese-firms-dominate-output?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow The United States should take a leaf out of Beijing’s industrial playbook and strategically open up specific sectors to Chinese investment while ensuring that technology transfers occur, US industrial policy and supply chain experts said at an event on Thursday. The assessment comes as Washington mulls new broad restrictions on Chinese technology, including a proposed prohibition on the sale of cars with connected-vehicle technology linked to China and a ban on imports of Chinese humanoid robots... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365510/us-urged-use-beijing-playbook-secure-chinese-tech-transfers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365510/us-urged-use-beijing-playbook-secure-chinese-tech-transfers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:25:57 +0000 Nayan Seth,Dewey Sim,Khushboo Razdan Nayan Seth,Dewey Sim,Khushboo Razdan Chinese and US officials are discussing whether business leaders will join President Xi Jinping’s delegation to the United States next month, as the two sides prepare to extend a one-year trade agreement reached in Busan last October, according to people familiar with the talks. The negotiations come as Xi is expected to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on September 24. Trump travelled to Beijing in May with a large group of top American CEOs, including the heads of Tesla, Apple,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365440/chinese-executives-may-join-xis-us-trip-trade-truce-extension-almost-certain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365440/chinese-executives-may-join-xis-us-trip-trade-truce-extension-almost-certain?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:00:06 +0000