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Philippines pushes to conclude S. China Sea code

Diplomacy | 2026-01-29

Philippines pushes to conclude S. China Sea code

As ASEAN chair in 2026, Manila is seeking to cement the backing of international law amid renewed maritime tensions.

Philippines, US hold joint drills near Scarborough Shoal

Security | 2026-01-29

Philippines, US hold joint drills near Scarborough Shoal

Naval and air units from both sides trained near Scarborough Shoal, which China illegally occupied in 2012. The shoal lies well within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.

Philippines, Japan sign military logistics pact, unveil defense and broadband grants

Capabilities | 2026-01-28

Philippines, Japan sign military logistics pact, unveil defense and broadband grants

Japan is planning to aid the Philippines in matters ranging from maritime security to civilian telecom upgrades.

US warship makes 1st call at Cambodia's Chinese-renovated naval base

Capabilities | 2026-01-28

US warship makes 1st call at Cambodia's Chinese-renovated naval base

The USS Cincinnati docked during a 5-day visit aimed at expanding military exchanges with Cambodian forces.

India approves agile battle groups for deployment along Chinese border

Security | 2026-01-27

India approves agile battle groups for deployment along Chinese border

New Delhi aims to create brigade-sized fighting units designed for rapid deployment and high-intensity combat in the Himalayas.

Top Chinese military official under investigation

Security | 2026-01-26

Top Chinese military official under investigation

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has periodically purged generals, citing 'corruption.' However, in the latest case, authorities have accused China's highest-ranking general of leaking nuclear secrets abroad.

Vietnamese party chief To Lam 'unanimously' reelected

Capabilities | 2026-01-26

Vietnamese party chief To Lam 'unanimously' reelected

To Lam might be a Vietnamese Xi Jinping in the making, as he concentrates power ever more in his hands.

China tries to block senior Taiwanese officials' Europe visits

Diplomacy | 2026-01-23

China tries to block senior Taiwanese officials' Europe visits

Europeans are pushing back against China's supposed 'legal advice,' even as some smaller countries weigh the risks of offending Beijing.

Koizumi, Hegseth pledge stronger Japan-US deterrence, expand missile output

Diplomacy | 2026-01-23

Koizumi, Hegseth pledge stronger Japan-US deterrence, expand missile output

Japan's defense minister used a Washington visit to lock in more-extensive drills, a stronger posture around Japan's southwest and talks to ramp up joint missile production.

Japan sets tourism record in 2025, but Chinese boycott clouds outlook

Economy | 2026-01-22

Japan sets tourism record in 2025, but Chinese boycott clouds outlook

Chinese arrivals fell about 45% last December, compared to December 2024, after Beijing urged its nationals to avoid Japan.

Indian government faces backlash over plan to ease curbs on Chinese investment

Economy | 2026-01-22

Indian government faces backlash over plan to ease curbs on Chinese investment

Easing restrictions would weaken India's stance toward Beijing despite unresolved border tensions, the opposition and industry groups say.

Philippines, China escalate war of words over W. Philippine Sea

Diplomacy | 2026-01-21

Philippines, China escalate war of words over W. Philippine Sea

Chinese operations violate the Law of the Sea and a 2016 international ruling, says Manila. Beijing continues to claim more than 80% of the South China Sea.

US commander recasts Korea as Indo-Pacific hub

Capabilities | 2026-01-20

US commander recasts Korea as Indo-Pacific hub

South Korea's roughly 500,000 troops provide 'incredible' potential for aiding the US in ensuring Indo-Pacific regional security, said US Army Gen. Xavier T. Brunson.

Japanese PM calls snap election for February 8

Politics | 2026-01-20

Japanese PM calls snap election for February 8

Sanae Takaichi is seeking to lock in her present-day popularity so she can pursue a conservative agenda on the economy, defense and relations with China.

China's birth rate hits record low

Economy | 2026-01-19

China's birth rate hits record low

China's population declined for a 4th straight year in 2025. Shrinking populations struggle to produce talent, pay retirees' pensions and fill armies.

US, Taiwan reach deal on cutting tariffs, boosting chip investment

Economy | 2026-01-19

US, Taiwan reach deal on cutting tariffs, boosting chip investment

The deal, which requires approval by parliament, would cut US tariffs on Taiwan from 20% to 15%. Taiwan and the US could have an 80-20 split of advanced-chip production capacity by 2036.

Philippine navy expands seabed surveillance amid undersea cable spying fears

Security | 2026-01-16

Philippine navy expands seabed surveillance amid undersea cable spying fears

After Manila seized underwater devices, including one that officials said sent data to a private firm in China, analysts warned the region is entering a new 'gray zone' front.

US carrier drills in S. China Sea as Taiwan tensions rise

Capabilities | 2026-01-16

US carrier drills in S. China Sea as Taiwan tensions rise

The USS Abraham Lincoln carried out routine training, including a live-fire drill, in the South China Sea as Beijing staged live-fire drills around Taiwan.

S. Korean, Japanese leaders signal cautious reset with drum duet

Diplomacy | 2026-01-15

S. Korean, Japanese leaders signal cautious reset with drum duet

The lighthearted drum session came as Seoul and Tokyo weighed cooperation amid unresolved historical disputes.

India, Germany seek to boost defense industry ties

Diplomacy | 2026-01-14

India, Germany seek to boost defense industry ties

India has worked for years to wean itself off Russian arms purchases, while Germany anticipates benefits in cooperating with the world's largest democracy instead of China.

India pushes back after China slams Bollywood film on 2020 Galwan clash

Entertainment | 2026-01-14

India pushes back after China slams Bollywood film on 2020 Galwan clash

New Delhi rejected Chinese state media's accusations that 'Battle of Galwan' distorted the deadliest Sino-Indian border clash in decades.

US, Philippines inspect new Batanes base at key Luzon Strait chokepoint

Capabilities | 2026-01-13

US, Philippines inspect new Batanes base at key Luzon Strait chokepoint

Control of the northern Philippines would be key to blocking a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Takaichi, S. Korea's Lee confer on 'regional stability'

Diplomacy | 2026-01-13

Takaichi, S. Korea's Lee confer on 'regional stability'

Warming Japanese–South Korean relations were on display in Nara, Japan, as Beijing's pressure on Tokyo loomed over the talks.

India strengthens ties with Taiwan

Economy | 2026-01-12

India strengthens ties with Taiwan

Analysts link India's growing engagement with Taiwan to shifting regional dynamics.

Japan launches deep-sea rare earth testing to curb dependence on China

Capabilities | 2026-01-12

Japan launches deep-sea rare earth testing to curb dependence on China

The research vessel will attempt what Japan says is the world's first rare earth extraction test at a depth of 6,000 meters.

Banned film spotlights growing Hong Kong censorship: director

Entertainment | 2026-01-09

Banned film spotlights growing Hong Kong censorship: director

Kiwi Chow had to film 'Deadline' in Taiwan when no Hong Kong school would permit him to film on site. Now it cannot be shown in Hong Kong either.

China, S. Korea enter 'new phase' as Lee seeks reset with Beijing

Diplomacy | 2026-01-09

China, S. Korea enter 'new phase' as Lee seeks reset with Beijing

Facing regional frictions and unresolved THAAD-era disputes, Seoul and Beijing appear to be attempting a diplomatic reset even amid limited prospects for a rapid thaw.

Maduro raid sparks Taiwan 'decapitation' talk

Crime & Justice | 2026-01-08

Maduro raid sparks Taiwan 'decapitation' talk

Beijing's Taiwan playbook still favors pressure short of a risky leadership-targeting strike, say analysts.

Chinese-made air defenses come under scrutiny after US raid in Venezuela

Capabilities | 2026-01-08

Chinese-made air defenses come under scrutiny after US raid in Venezuela

Venezuela's networked air defenses, supplied by Russia and China, failed to detect or stop US forces who seized the country's dictator.

India building strategic tunnel near Chinese border

Security | 2026-01-07

India building strategic tunnel near Chinese border

The Himalayan tunnel, once complete, will secure year-round Indian military access to Ladakh and narrow a long-standing logistical gap with China along the disputed Sino-Indian border.

Honduras weighs Taiwan reset, reviving cross-strait diplomatic rivalry

Diplomacy | 2026-01-06

Honduras weighs Taiwan reset, reviving cross-strait diplomatic rivalry

In 2023, Taiwan accused Honduras' then-president of recognizing China in exchange for promised economic benefits. Honduran President-elect Nasry Asfura has pledged a reversal.

TSMC starts mass production of 2nm chips

Science & Technology | 2026-01-05

TSMC starts mass production of 2nm chips

Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC has made itself globally vital even as China keeps threatening to invade the island.

Japan, Australia formalize deeper defense coordination

Capabilities | 2026-01-05

Japan, Australia formalize deeper defense coordination

The new strategic framework involves a range of matters relating to defense policy and intelligence, including space, cyber and integrated air and missile defense.

Xi calls reunification 'unstoppable' as Lai urges stronger deterrence

Diplomacy | 2026-01-02

Xi calls reunification 'unstoppable' as Lai urges stronger deterrence

The leaders of China and Taiwan traded barbs in dueling New Year TV addresses after Chinese drills around Taiwan aroused international concern.

Philippines warns China not to spin Christmas rescue as propaganda in S. China Sea

Education | 2026-01-01

Philippines warns China not to spin Christmas rescue as propaganda in S. China Sea

Chinese aid to a Zambales fisherman is welcome, but does not offset years of harassment in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's coast guard says.