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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?
Illustration: Henry Wong
Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia isn’t buying the US’ offer of ‘flexible realism’

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby talked up US partnerships with Asean nations during his trip to the region, but Washington’s actions contradict its ‘Asia first’ rhetoric.

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US-China relations

Global US immigrant visa pause: fallout across China, Asia and Hong Kong

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker urges firms to expand into emerging markets amid US visa pause

US-China relations

Trump pick Darline Graham wins election despite struggling over Taiwan question

The political newcomer wins Republican Senate nomination after failing to answer questions about South China Sea issues.

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Republican Senator Darline Graham addresses supporters on Tuesday after winning a special primary run-off to replace her brother, the late Lindsey Graham in the November general election. Photo: AP
Diplomacy

Opinion | For states, being part of everything doesn’t mean being part of nothing

The opposite of commitment is breach, not multiplicity. A nation’s reliability isn’t measured by how many treaties it signs.

US-China relations

Fewer anti-Asian hate crimes in US, but immigration crackdowns raise concerns

Advocates say new FBI figures likely represent only ‘tip of the iceberg’ and many suffering abuse decline to report it to authorities.

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US-China relations

Exclusive: The Jacob Helberg interview

In this exclusive interview, US Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg discusses the AI battle between Washington and Beijing, talks American efforts to end dependence on China’s rare earths, and gives a commitment to the Philippines on the Pax Silica Initiative.

Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg speaks at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, in February 2026. Photo: AP
US-China tech war

Can science bridge the US-China trust gap? Maybe with new rules, researchers say

Continuous dialogue and clearly defined boundaries between security and development are crucial, Fudan University researchers say.

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US-China relations

Top Chinese South Pacific security partner to let US patrol its waters

Agreement will allow US vessels to patrol with local police as Honiara expands maritime ties with Washington despite close Beijing links.

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US-China relations

Asian-American groups fear Trump’s escalating rhetoric will fuel racism in US

Community leaders warn US president’s explosive China election-interference allegations may see rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.

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President Donald Trump’s allegations of US election manipulation by China have triggered concern among Asian-American community leaders and groups in the US. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

Many allegations, little evidence: unpacking China election-interference records

Declassified US intelligence files showing millions of Americans’ voter information do not back Trump’s claims Beijing hacked 2020 election.

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US President Donald Trump gestures at the White House in Washington on Thursday after a national address focusing heavily on US election security. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Trump’s election-interference claims spark fears among Chinese-Americans

US president’s prime-time address draws sharp backlash from immigrants who fear a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes.

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South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

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US-China relations

China accuses US of ignoring Trump, Xi rapport and targeting Chinese firms

Beijing claims US misused its power by blacklisting more than 60 Chinese companies after goodwill generated at Trump-Xi summit in May.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump enjoy a friendly exchange after a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15, 2026. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

US says China gave only hours’ warning before Pacific submarine missile launch

Washington says Beijing’s notification of launch fell short of expected standard followed by other established nuclear powers.

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A test missile is fired from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine towards the Pacific Ocean on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
China-Latin America relations

A year into Trump’s tariffs, Brazil trades less with US and more with China

Trading report lands as USTR weighs extra 25 per cent levy and Flavio Bolsonaro tells hearing that Lula ‘licks China’s boots’.

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China's military weapons

What does China’s submarine missile test mean for its nuclear triad expansion?

More than a technical milestone, undersea launch sends strategic signal to the US and Beijing’s neighbours in Asia-Pacific, analysts say.

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South China Sea

Is build-up of Philippine bases for US use on track? Chinese analysts weigh in

South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative says base infrastructure expansion ‘has fallen short of expectations’.

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The SCSPI report on US-Philippine cooperation drew on satellites images, such as these of Lal-lo airport from 2022 and 2026. Photo: SCSPI
China-Japan relations

China’s pressure campaign tests Trump’s commitment to Japan

Tokyo expected stronger US support after Beijing retaliated over Taiwan comments, but analysts say Washington has held back.

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US-China relations

Wang Yi warns Rubio to approach Taiwan affairs with ‘utmost caution’

Beijing’s top diplomat tells US Secretary of State to expand cooperation, manage risks in Taiwan-related issues during call on Tuesday.

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US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

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The State Department’s top diplomat for East Asia, Michael DeSombre, said on Thursday that the long-standing US policy known as the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan is still operating. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea comes into view during an aerial reconnaissance flight on February 18, 2025. Photo: AFP
China trade

Why the Vietnam ‘detour’ for US-bound Chinese goods hit a dead end

Is finding another Hanoi haven possible, or would trying be a fool’s errand for Chinese firms looking to get the jump on Trump and evade tariffs?

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Asean

Opinion | Beyond geopolitics: for Asean, China is a structural reality

Faced with the structural reality of China, Southeast Asia is trying to turn it into an advantage without losing control of its choices.

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US-China relations

China’s US envoy calls for 10-fold rise in tariff-free trade under joint board

Ambassador Xie Feng tells Washington gala many American business friends share his view on direction of US-China Board of Trade.

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Ambassador Xie Feng gives a speech in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: US-China Business Council
South China Sea

As Iran war comes to a close, is US pulling warships back to the west Pacific?

US Defence Department changes name of Indo-Pacific Command back to US Pacific Command, suggesting new focus.

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USS Tripoli was among US Navy ships sent to the Middle East as the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Photo: Handout
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump taps Defence Production Act as Iran war strains weapons stockpiles

Iran conflict has led to concern in Congress, White House that US may struggle to respond to another crisis in the near future.

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US-China relations

US adds Alibaba, BYD, other Chinese tech champions to military company blacklist

Trump administration has designated top China firms as ‘Chinese military companies’ operating in the United States.

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