Focus

Japan claims to find rare earths on deep-sea mission

A ship assigned to reduce Japan's dependence on Chinese rare earths struck pay dirt at a depth of 6,000 meters, said Tokyo. Successful mining would defuse a favorite Chinese economic weapon.

China's United Front outreach in Philippines draws scrutiny

United Front-linked mobilization of the Philippines' ethnic Chinese minority can shape diaspora messaging and undermine broader national interests, warn Philippine analysts.