
Recent Posts - page 2
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Cadence Column: Asia, January 31, 2022
Taiwan’s vice president went on tour. After meeting with the new president of Honduras, Vice President William Lai stopped in San Francisco. While in the States, he held virtual meetings with House Speaker Pelosi and others. Taiwan’s envoy to North… Read More ›
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China is buying up Europe
For more than a decade, China has been stealthily buying up European companies in strategic sectors, particularly in technology and energy. China appears to be using these European assets to help fulfil the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ambitions of becoming… Read More ›
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Taiwan showcases new warships in display of deterrence to China
Taiwan has showcased some of its indigenous-built warships at an event designed to send a message of deterrence to China, local officials and analysts said. Over the weekend, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense held a naval exercise off the coast of Keelung… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, January 24, 2022
China has been busy online. Western allies warn about increasing cyber attacks from China; it’s become the common thing to expect and discuss. Cyber attacks aren’t China’s only online hobby. Social media “influencers” are reportedly set to spread the good… Read More ›
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China is preparing for the next pandemic – are we?
A hypothetical scenario: The year is 2030. It’s been five years since you or your family members have stepped outside your home. It’s too dangerous out there. This pandemic is deadlier than anything humanity has seen before. Death is lurking… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, January 17, 2022
China is illegal. The US Department of State even says so. France even reports as such. This won’t exactly improve friendly relations across the Pacific. It’s actually a much larger step to an all out conflict. Just over a year… Read More ›
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India’s offensive against China should be in the grey zone
Grey zone is not a fixed concept but a hypothetical place between peace and war. While I was writing this article, a never heard of development was taking place in the Indian state of Punjab. The Indian Prime Minister was… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, January 10, 2022
Lithuania has become the “Taiwan of Europe”. Since WWII, Americans never again struggled with the concept that a problem abroad is a problem at home. This is how we Americans can vote to interfere around the world that we know… Read More ›
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Is China ready to host the Winter Olympics?
Chinese officials have promised that the 2022 Winter Olympics — to be held Feb. 4 to 20 and followed by the Paralympics March 4-13 — will be a “safe, streamlined and splendid” global event. But that won’t be easy. With… Read More ›
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Crystal Gazing 2022: India and The World
If we thought 2019 and 2020 presented uncertainties then 2022 is here to surprise all of us. It could be remembered as one of the most complex, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous years in the recent past. COVID-19, oil crossing $100/barrel,… Read More ›
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Japan looks west to guard against a rising China
Japan signed on Thursday a new security treaty with Australia, a fellow middle power that is similarly aligning against an increasingly assertive China. The blandly-branded Reciprocal Access Agreement, which was signed virtually by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, January 3, 2022
Taiwan is on the rise. With chip shortages, stock is booming. You know how graphics cards are astronomically high? A lot of that money is going into Taiwan. Meanwhile, China found an excuse to order a real estate developer to… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, December 27, 2021
Japan is on the scene in the Pacific. While Japanese athletes will attend the Olympics, Japanese officials will not. China doesn’t want Japan to “politicize” the games. But, consider 2008, the one-hour opening ceremony about nothing but China’s history, with… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, December 20, 2021
The US is hitting China hard over treatment of Uyghurs. Nearly all imports from Xinjiang will be banned. At the same time, the US bolsters the call to bolster Taiwan’s military defense. However, Taiwan has the seeds of the same… Read More ›
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When India goes to war with China
It is an open secret that China challenges everything India sets its eyes on, be it cooperation with Quad partners (the United States, Australia, Japan), international organizations like United Nations, WHO, or designating a terrorist organization. India, a Quad member… Read More ›
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How US may get dragged into maritime clash with China
As China-US tensions ratchet up, the unthinkable – a military clash – becomes ever more likely. While neither likely wants a military confrontation, a perfect storm of circumstances could turn a relatively minor incident into a wider clash. While China’s… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, December 13, 2021
China responds with propaganda. A lot more keeps happening more. It’s too much for China to track. But, when the US pontificates about democracy, China leaps to opine first. The problem is the vibe. It’s not about what we say,… Read More ›
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China Reacting to Evergrande’s imminent collapse – economy weaker than being reported
China is now reacting to the failure of real estate developer Evergrande, with $310 Billion in debt. The AP reported: China’s central bank expanded the supply of money for lending Monday as Beijing tried to reassure its public and investors… Read More ›
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Reading John Rawls in Shanghai
I got to know the work of John Rawls when Salvatore Veca, professor of Political Philosophy during my university years, introduced it to Italy by promoting the first translation of the classic “A theory of justice” published by the American… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, December 6, 2021
This week, Slovokia cozies up to Taiwan. This is dangerously close to the Czech Republic. Formerly, the two were “Czechoslovakia” until 1993. Pacific Daily Times has some dark information about Taiwan’s poor treatment of a Czech citizen. As calls to… Read More ›
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$6 billion Laos-China railway on track to somewhere
The US$6 billion Laos-China railway that starts operations on December 3 – following the 46th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on December 2 – is definitely a game-changer for the land-locked communist country of 7 million people, which… Read More ›
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Pentagon plans to improve airfields in Guam and Australia to confront China
The Pentagon wants to improve bases in Guam and Australia to counter China following a review of U.S. military resources around the globe. The Global Posture Review (GPR), of which an unclassified version is set to be released later on… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, November 29, 2021
China faces a very serious and very real boycott at the Olympic Games. The Olympic Committee awarded China as the host country and claims that politics isn’t its business; other governments need to handle that. Boycotts are under serious consideration… Read More ›
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China targets ride-hailing operator Didi for delisting in New York
China’s internet regulator has ordered the operators of a major ride-hailing app, Didi Chuxing, to delist from the New York Stock Exchange, in an ongoing government crackdown on the country’s technology sector, international media reports said on Friday. The Cyberspace Administration… Read More ›
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US sends warship through Taiwan Strait in message to China
The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) sailed through the Taiwan Strait in a routine operation on Tuesday. The transit sparked anger from the Communist Chinese government, which considers Taiwan its territory, and it characterized the… Read More ›
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How China is trying to turn the U.S. against itself
As Congress advances a set of bills to protect against Beijing’s efforts to subvert American democracy, China is using our system of government to block and tackle. On November 12, Reuters reported that Chinese officials have been pressuring American companies,… Read More ›
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Chinese geo-strategic expansion in the Levant: A case study of Lebanon
As soon as the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949, China and the Middle East faced a series of challenges. In recent years, China’s influence in the region has expanded due to its economic interests in energy, trade,… Read More ›
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The Chinese Communist Party still thinks it owns the future
A rising chorus of analysts now describe China as a “peaking power”—one that might take greater risks to revise the international order before its strategic window of opportunity closes. They cite the country’s aging population , slowing economy , and hostile external environment… Read More ›
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Chinese maritime militia threatens order in South China Sea
Hundreds of Chinese maritime militia vessels are operating in contested areas of the South China Sea on a consistent basis, according to a new U.S. think tank report that says this poses a significant challenge to “maritime order rooted in… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, November 22, 2021
The world is not responding well to the so-called “plandemic”. The important thing is not whether the global disease, as said by Judy Mikovits to have been developed under the supervision of Fauci, was actually intended to do all this…. Read More ›
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Tackling Chinese technological advantage
“China has won the artificial intelligence battle with the United States and is heading towards global dominance because of its technological advances”. When the Pentagon’s former software chief Nick Chaillan made this claim, it felt as if the whole world… Read More ›
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Biden and Xi move back from the brink
The three-and-half-hour virtual summit meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not, and could not, solve the fundamental problems that have driven the two great powers toward confrontation. But both men clearly wanted to challenge the… Read More ›
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Xi Jinping’s Terrifying New China
China’s social media was briefly aflutter this fall about an impressive feat in the popular online fantasy game Honor of Kings. A player had completed a “pentakill,” or five kills in a row, but something just smelled wrong: The user… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, November 15, 2021
Taiwan is a peaceful island of peaceful people. The Taiwanese calm demeanor often plays tricks on the minds of Americans and Chinese. Every day, Taiwanese put up with enormous nonsense and harassment, yet manage to carry on with an authentic… Read More ›
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China is closing to the world, and it isn’t just about borders
It’s been nearly two years since China shut its international borders as part of its efforts to keep Covid-19 out. China tamed the initial outbreak in Wuhan by locking down the city of more than 10 million people, confining residents… Read More ›
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China seeks greater role in setting international rules for digital economy
China has said it wants a greater role in setting the rules for the international digital economy and criticised the United States for trying to use the international order to contain it. On Friday, foreign vice-minister Xie Feng told a… Read More ›
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China to develop new heavy icebreaker for ‘Polar Silk Road’
China plans to develop a new heavy icebreaker and semi-submersible heavy lift ships – so big that they can carry other ships – in the next five years to support its expanding maritime activities. The heavy icebreaker is to be… Read More ›
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Australia shows the world what decoupling from China looks like
China’s attempt to bully Australia has been a spectacular failure. When Australia had the temerity to call for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 last year, China was incensed. It responded with an unprecedented wave of trade restrictions… Read More ›
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Green & war economy – a reasoned reading
The China Daily announces that China is the country in the world that has the greatest sensitivity to the protection of bio diversity. At the same time, the crisis in the cost of natural gas forces China to increase the… Read More ›
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As distrust of China grows, Europe may inch closer to Taiwan
European nations had long kept Taiwan at arm’s length, wary of provoking Beijing, which opposes contact with the island it claims as its territory. But an unusual flurry of diplomatic activity suggests a subtle shift may be underway in Europe,… Read More ›
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China says its new stealth aircraft erodes U.S. advantages
The Chinese air force is developing new stealth aircraft and expanding the weapons-carrying capacity of its J-20 stealth fighter, the Pentagon said in its annual report on Chinese military power, issued Nov. 3. The Pentagon said U.S. advantages in the… Read More ›
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Cadence Column: Asia, November 8, 2021
China tripped the alarm. Revelations of a US aircraft carrier-shaped target in China’s Taklamakan Desert doesn’t exactly resemble a friendly trick-or-treat visit. Congress is upset, calling this the closest we’ve ever been. Washington tries to use calm rhetoric, saying they… Read More ›
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Strike China and Save the World: Part 2 – Manufacturing Reality
Just imagine a video of Chinese authorities brutally assaulting and arresting Chinese citizens who have a credit rating below certain criteria, appearing on Sina Weibo. In no time this video would be viral on WeChat, DouBan, YouKu, and several other… Read More ›
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What Does China’s New Land Borders Law Mean for Its Neighbours?
China has a new tool to wield during any future flareups along its borders with foreign entities, whether those be the Indian government, Afghan refugees or Myanmar rebel groups. Announced on October 23, the new Land Borders Law authorizes the… Read More ›
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Xi Is Running Out of Time: China’s Economy Heads for a Hard Landing
How worried should observers be about China’s economy? As recently as midsummer, that seemed like an academic question geared to the long term. In recent months, observers who were already concerned were further dismayed whenever Beijing moved to reel in… Read More ›
Featured Categories
Defence & Aerospace ›
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U.S. not seeking to create “Asian NATO,” defense secretary says
June 14, 2022
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Why Chinese warplanes are ‘playing chicken’ with US allies
June 11, 2022
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United States outmanoeuvres Russia once again?
May 22, 2022
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How Russia-Ukraine copied Finland war without lessons
May 1, 2022
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China plans system to take out asteroids hurtling toward earth
April 28, 2022
Finance & Economy ›
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China sees ‘unprecedented’ capital outflows following Russian invasion of Ukraine
March 26, 2022
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China Reacting to Evergrande’s imminent collapse – economy weaker than being reported
December 12, 2021
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China seeks greater role in setting international rules for digital economy
November 14, 2021
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Green & war economy – a reasoned reading
November 11, 2021
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Xi Is Running Out of Time: China’s Economy Heads for a Hard Landing
November 5, 2021
Human Rights & Social Issues ›
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The people of Hong Kong are being punished for once being free
February 15, 2022
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Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai wins press freedom award
December 8, 2021
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China’s birthrate just hit another record low, but the worst is yet to come
December 4, 2021
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Celebrities who disappeared in China after speaking out about the Communist Party or powerful people
November 19, 2021
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China’s ‘leftover women’ using their financial power to fight stigma
November 18, 2021
News ›
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Overnight News Headlines (Australia): July 20, 2021
July 20, 2021
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China in the News: July 20, 2021
July 20, 2021
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Overnight News Headlines (Australia): July 19, 2021
July 19, 2021
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China in the News: July 19, 2021
July 19, 2021
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Overnight News Headlines (Australia): July 18, 2021
July 18, 2021
Politics & Law ›
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In Beijing’s BRICS summit, Putin is back on the world stage
June 22, 2022
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Has China lost Europe?
June 11, 2022
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Xi’s re-election: Opportunity for the world, curse for China
June 5, 2022
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China: A political view
May 31, 2022
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Why Biden didn’t mean what he said about Taiwan
May 29, 2022
Trade & Investment ›
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The “Fondaco” of business and commerce
March 10, 2022
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China is buying up Europe
January 26, 2022
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$6 billion Laos-China railway on track to somewhere
December 2, 2021
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China to develop new heavy icebreaker for ‘Polar Silk Road’
November 13, 2021
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China’s trade practices come under fire
October 24, 2021