US China

Two major economic plans unveiled at the annual meeting of China's legislature outline top priorities that have different ramifications for the global economy. In the government plan for 2026, the No. 1 task is "building a robust domestic market". Then comes accelerating technological progress. But longer-term, a plan for the next five years, gives more prominence to achieving advances in tech. The subtle difference highlights the government's balancing act. Its overarching goal is to transform from a low-cost manufacturing to a tech-driven economy. But a more immediate concern is dealing with a prolonged period of sluggishness that has depressed consumer and business confidence. China is such a large exporter that the choices it makes affect countries and jobs around the world. The plans, presented at the recent opening of the National People's Congress, offer a window into the government's thinking. They are set to be formally endorsed by the rubber-stamp legislature at the end o

Failure to engage between the two nations would only lead to misunderstandings and misjudgements, escalating toward confrontation and harming the world," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said

The US imposed travel bans on three Chilean officials over the possible construction of a submarine fiber optic cable with China, while warning Peru against ceding control over a Chinese-built mega port. Under pressure from President Donald Trump, who had threatened to take the Panama Canal back under US control, the Panamanian government seized two ports at either end of the canal that had been run by a Hong Kong company. And when the US captured Venezuela's then-President Nicolas Maduro in January, China saw its extensive interests in the oil-rich country suddenly vulnerable. The Trump administration in recent weeks has taken forceful steps in one Latin American country after another aimed at curbing the influence and economic dominance of China. As part of his quest to restore US preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, the president is hosting Latin American leaders at his golf resort near Miami this weekend for a summit dubbed the "Shield of Americas." Supporters of the White Ho

In a development highlighting polarisation in the UN Security Council, the monthly programme of work for the US Presidency of the powerful UN organ could not be adopted after Russia and China raised objections concerning Iran. The United States, a veto-wielding permanent member, assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of March. As is customary, a monthly programme of work that outlines the Council's anticipated meetings and events for the month is adopted by the UN body at the commencement of the Presidency. The Council President then briefs the media in the UN headquarters on the UNSC programme of work and agenda for the month. However, the US-drafted programme of work for its monthly presidency of the Council could not be adopted on Monday after the other veto-wielding permanent members Russia and China raised objections pertaining to the 1737 Sanctions Committee concerning Iran. "Russia & China objected to the adoption of the US-drafted UNSC ...

China is willing to hold frank consultations during an upcoming sixth round of US-China economic and trade talks, the commerce ministry official added

A US official focusing on arms control on Monday provided what he called new, declassified details of a Chinese underground nuclear test nearly six years ago and urged countries to press China and Russia to do more on nuclear disarmament. Christopher Yeaw, assistant secretary of state for the bureau of arms control and nonproliferation, spoke to a UN-backed body after the last nuclear arms pact between the United States and Russia expired this month. That has ended limits on the arsenals of the world's biggest nuclear powers and raised concerns about a possible new arms race. Yeaw called for greater transparency from China and pointed to some shortcomings of the New START treaty, such as that it didn't address Russia's large arsenal of nonstrategic nuclear weapons - which counts up to 2,000 warheads. "But perhaps its greatest flaw was that New START did not account for the unprecedented, deliberate, rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup by China," he told the UN-backed Conference

China on Monday said it is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the US Supreme Court's ruling against global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under an emergency powers law. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said it has noted the Supreme Court's decision declaring illegal the US government's imposition of tariffs on trading partners under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and is evaluating its relevant content and implications. Beijing's reaction came ahead of Trump's planned visit to China from March 31 to April 2 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On Sunday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he did not expect the ruling to impact Washington's talks with China. "The purpose of this meeting with President Xi is not to fight about trade. It's to maintain stability, make sure that the Chinese are holding up their end of our deal and buying American agricultural products and Boeings and other things," Greer told ABC ..

Xi's team will likely push harder for access to advanced semiconductors, removal of trade restrictions on Chinese companies and reduced US support for Taiwan

Called the Tech Corps, the programme would deploy as many as 5,000 American volunteers and advisers over the next five years to Peace Corps partner nations

This comes amidst Beijing's stating that it has scrupulously observed an international accord banning all nuclear detonations

The US's military support for Taiwan has become one of the key points of contention between Washington and Beijing before the countries' leaders are slated to meet in April in China

Satellite imagery of secretive nuclear facilities reveals Beijing's efforts to expand its arsenal, just as the last global guardrails on nuclear weapons vanish

China has stepped up diplomatic and economic pressure on Japan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that Tokyo might come to the aid of Taiwan

The discussion took place days after President Donald Trump indicated that he'd be open to allowing Chinese automakers into the US if they built plants and hired Americans

The CIA released a Mandarin video depicting a fictional Chinese officer who contacts the agency after witnessing qualified leaders purged and replaced by inexperienced officials accused of corruption

India positions itself as counterweight to US-China dominance

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that senior ‌US Treasury staff visited China last week "to strengthen channels of ​communication" between Washington and Beijing

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, commonly known as New START, was the last major nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia

The allegation was raised days after the New START treaty expired, with Washington urging broader arms control that includes China as Beijing dismissed the charge as a false narrative

Taiwan's ties with the United States are "rock solid," the island's president said Thursday, hours after President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke on the phone about topics that included the self-ruled island's future. "The Taiwan-US relationship is rock solid, and all cooperation projects will continue uninterrupted," Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told reporters during a visit to textile merchants in western Taiwan. The comments came after Xi, in his first call with Trump since November, warned the US president to be "prudent" about supplying arms to the self-ruled island, according to a readout of their call provided by China's Foreign Ministry. Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy that China claims as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. Beijing prohibits all countries it has diplomatic relations with - including the US - from having formal ties with Taipei. Still, while the US doesn't officially recognize Taiwan as a country, it is the island's .