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US-China relations: the Asian angle

US-China relations: the Asian angle
As the world's two greatest powers jostle for economic influence, what does the future have in store for Asia?
last updated:
15 October, 2024
US president-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is expected to take a confrontational approach to Beijing, fuelling tensions in the South China Sea, according to a Chinese expert. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts

The year ahead is likely to see Washington take a more aggressive approach to Beijing, while other disputes in the waterway continue.

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US-China relations

Survival tactics: how the US military is adapting to China’s growing might

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The Philippines

‘We are a frontline state’: how the Philippines is preparing for a US-China war

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US-China relations

Trump’s first 100 days: can Beijing stop downwards spiral in US-China ties?

Early contact with new administration seen as an important ‘window of opportunity’ for Beijing to help set the course of future relations.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
US-China relations

How a Trump defence pick points to US Forces Korea focus shift to China

Elbridge Colby says US forces on the Korean peninsula ‘should not be held hostage to dealing with the North Korean problem’.

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China trade

How Vietnam emerged as a serious rival to China’s export machine

Vietnam’s factories have made impressive progress since 2018 and are now competing with China on quality as well as price.

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China-South Korea relations

Chinese, South Korean foreign ministers in first call since martial law crisis

Foreign ministry says China won’t interfere because ‘South Korean people have the wisdom and ability to properly handle domestic issues’.

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South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol has told China’s Wang Yi that having an acting leader will not change his government’s position on developing a South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership. Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Diplomacy

Opinion | China can win Japan and South Korea over from a US under Trump

Amid political changes in the three countries, China can carve out a new strategic landscape in East Asia by offering trade and cooperation.

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Taiwan

Is Taiwan a factor in US decision to start moving marines from Okinawa to Guam?

Move has been in the pipeline for over a decade, but Washington has only just agreed to start relocating its first troops stationed in Japan.

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South China Sea

China permits Philippine ship to deliver supplies to Second Thomas Shoal outpost

The move appears to be rare act of de-escalation as Beijing and Manila continue to clash over territorial disputes in South China Sea.

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A Philippine flag flutters atop the BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated ship Manila stationed on a contested reef in the Spratly Islands in 1999. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Singapore, Vietnam eye undersea cable as US flags risks of Chinese contractors

Keppel and Sovico Group in talks to build a new network to meet booming demand for AI services and data centres.

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Southeast Asian countries are seeking to expand their undersea cable networks to meet booming demand for AI services. Photo: Shutterstock
Asean

Asian Angle | Why Asean’s neutrality is our greatest asset in a divided world

As Malaysia prepares to assume the 2025 Asean chair, its trade minister argues for a unified approach to navigate the US-China rivalry.

US-China relations

US conducts first ballistic missile intercept in Guam amid contest with China

Spokesman says ‘it confirmed our ability to detect, track and engage a target missile in flight, increasing our readiness to defend’.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Korea instability should prompt US, China to put aside self-interests

Fresh geopolitical shifts underscore a need for leaders to transcend parochial interests and embrace a more holistic approach to governance.

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Protesters take part in a candlelight rally calling for South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol to step down, outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 5. Yoon has now been barred from travelling abroad, less than a week after plunging South Korea into chaos by briefly imposing martial law. Photo: AFP
China-South Korea relations

What a possible South Korean leadership change could mean for China

If lawmakers vote to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol, the main opposition DP could rise to power and take a more ‘conciliatory approach’.

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The opposition is pushing to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol after his short-lived declaration of martial law on Tuesday. Photo: TNS
Taiwan

US personnel seen training elite Taiwanese coastguard unit: report

Witnesses say the American personnel were aboard three vessels over two days off the southern city of Kaohsiung.

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China trade

Will Trump’s threats push China and Japan closer together?

Relations between the Asian powers have become highly strained in recent years, but officials from both sides are now talking up the value of cooperation.

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Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s looming global impact

This three-part series looks at what effect Donald Trump’s incoming US presidency is expected to have on international relations – and how people and governments are trying to prepare.

US-China relations

Beijing vows ‘resolute’ response as US approves US$385 million in arms to Taiwan

US move infringes upon China’s sovereignty and will harm ties, Beijing says, while also condemning US stopovers by Taiwanese leader.

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Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong slams US travel advisory ‘slander’

Washington ‘playing despicable tricks by distorting facts’ in advisory hitting out at national security law, office says.

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United States

Opinion | Trump’s transactional foreign policy may have an advantage over Biden’s

Done right, Trump could strip US foreign policy of its sanctimonious rhetoric and avoid the strategic dilemmas posed by a values-based policy.

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Donald Trump meets President Joe Biden in the Oval Office in Washington on November 13. Biden pushed a values-based policy, but ended up weakening America’s credibility as a force for democracy and human rights. Photo: TNS
South China Sea

Chinese military says reef patrols stepped up amid tension with Philippines

PLA Navy and Air Force conduct ‘combat-ready vigilance patrol’ around Scarborough Shoal as Beijing accuses Washington of fanning disputes.

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China’s Southern Theatre Command says it is conducting a “combat-ready vigilance patrol” near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

South China Sea: US alliances mar peace and stability, China envoy tells Asean

Beijing’s ambassador to Asean tells forum Western narrative of ‘Ukraine today, East Asia tomorrow’ increases conflict risk in region.

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South China Sea

How US-Philippine task force may be ‘fanning the flames’ in South China Sea

South China Sea analyst says Washington-Manila alliance becoming ‘more structured, task-oriented, project-based’.

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Taiwan

How will Trump handle Taiwan? Beijing sees hawkish signs as analysts are divided

Some say he could use self-ruled island as bargaining chip for economic concessions while others rule that out, citing political pushback.

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An American-made anti-tank missile is launched by Taiwanese soldiers from a carrier vehicle during training in Pingtung, Taiwan, on August 26, 2024. The US is committed to supplying Taiwan with weapons. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

US troop aid may reassure Philippines but will prod China: analysts

For Beijing, the US defence secretary’s revelation of deployment to Task Force Ayungin could be ‘nerve-racking’, says analyst.

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The Chinese Coast Guard has fired water cannons at Philippine vessels amid their clashes at Second Thomas Shoal this year. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Recap | China can counter Trump tariffs, Asian economies in US crosshairs and more opinions

Explore China’s answer to US tariffs, Trump’s Middle East peace challenge and other new pieces by our opinion writers.

US-China relations

How Xi’s warning over Korean peninsula highlights Beijing’s diplomatic headache

A statement by Xi Jinping over the volatile Korean peninsula signals China’s growing concern in the region, observers say.

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