beijing

In response to Donald Trump's increased tariffs on Chinese imports, beijing announced additional tariffs on key agricultural products from the United States. China is set to impose tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on items such as chicken, pork, soy, and beef.

President Donald Trump has suggested a trade deal with China may be possible, despite ongoing tariff escalations between the US and several key trading partners. Both countries are urged to resolve disputes with mutual respect and dialogue. Tariffs have stirred global market anxiety and prompted international responses.

Taiwanese authorities are investigating a Chinese-crewed cargo ship, Hongtai, suspected of severing an undersea communications cable near Penghu Islands. The ship, flagged under Togo, had been anchored in the area before moving northwest when approached by the coast guard. While the cause remains unclear, Taiwan suspects possible gray-zone tactics by China. Backup systems prevented disruptions, but the incident increased tensions between Taipei and beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday hailed Moscow's "positive efforts to defuse" the Ukraine crisis in a call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, state media said. Xinhua news agency reported Xi as saying "China is happy to see Russia and relevant parties make positive efforts to defuse" the crisis in Ukraine.

beijing has declined to confirm a post-inauguration conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, despite Trump's claim that they spoke. China's foreign ministry only acknowledged a call on January 17, before Trump's second term began. Amid rising trade tensions, Trump has imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, prompting beijing to retaliate. Meanwhile, he temporarily paused new tariffs on Mexico and Canada following talks with their leaders. Observers are closely watching for any signs of US-China trade de-escalation.

China's military has condemned a Canadian warship's passage through the Taiwan Strait, claiming it undermines peace and stability in the region. The incident follows recent passages by US ships, which have also drawn sharp rebukes from China. beijing asserts jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from mainland China.

Quad nations sent a clear message to China by opposing any actions that change the status quo by force. They are committed to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific with upheld rule of law and sovereignty. Regular meetings and a summit in India are planned to address regional security and economic threats.

Australia has voiced serious concerns over the health of jailed Chinese-Australian writer Yang Jun, who received a suspended death sentence in 2024. Foreign minister Penny Wong urged China to ensure his medical care and humane treatment. Yang, imprisoned since 2019 on spying charges he denies, may have his sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Australia continues to push for his release and family reunification.

Recent naval drills in the Philippines involving the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines have drawn criticism from China, which claims the entire South China Sea. The exercises, intended to enhance cooperation among the participating forces, took place within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. China condemned the drills as destabilizing and accused the Philippines of colluding with foreign powers to challenge China's territorial claims. This tension is exacerbated by China's extensive claims in the South China Sea, despite a UN-backed court ruling against most of its claims.

Taiwan detected six Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels operating around the island within a 24-hour period. Three aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's ADIZ. This heightened activity continues to raise tensions and concerns over regional stability as China asserts its claims over Taiwan.

India and China have agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025, aiming to rebuild bilateral relations. Key measures include increasing people-to-people exchanges, resuming direct flights, and enhancing cooperation on trans-border rivers. High-level talks discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest.

India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri is set to visit beijing for high-level talks as part of efforts to normalize relations post the Oct 21 disengagement agreement. The discussions will cover cross-border cooperation, including Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumption and data sharing on trans-border rivers, while ensuring national security remains uncompromised.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video meeting to deepen their nations' ties amidst Western sanctions on Moscow. Xi emphasised enhancing 'good-neighborly friendship' and strategic cooperation. The alignment, especially strong since the Ukraine conflict, also targets Western dominance. Putin signaled hope for lasting peace in Ukraine under the new US administration.

The US Department of Justice's indictment of Gautam Adani over corruption allegations risks straining India-US relations, potentially weakening Western alliances against China's influence. The charges may compromise significant economic partnerships, strategically disadvantaging the US while bolstering its competitors.

Jailed Hong Kong rights lawyer and prominent Tiananmen massacre vigil organizer, Chow Hang-tung, has sharply criticized the city's highest-ranking judges, accusing them of complicity in what she described as a "police state" under the current government, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA).

Chinese hackers remotely accessed several workstations and unclassified documents within the US Treasury through a breach in BeyondTrust's software. Treasury assures no ongoing threats exist and is collaborating with the FBI to investigate the cyberattack, attributed to state-sponsored Chinese actors.

In August 2010, the beijing-Tibet Expressway experienced a 12-day traffic jam affecting over 100 km due to roadwork, heavy vehicle traffic, and breakdowns. People endured harsh conditions while local vendors profited. Authorities finally cleared the jam, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and effective traffic management.