Steve Ray –Washington – China has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s explosive allegation that Beijing orchestrated the theft of 220 million American voter records to interfere in the 2020 presidential election. In a prime-time national address on Thursday, Trump claimed Chinese intelligence agencies had illicitly obtained vast databases containing names, addresses, phone numbers, and…
Richard Saunders, Kampot The Russian Pacific Fleet announced on Monday that Russian and Chinese warships carried out live-fire exercises in the Yellow Sea as part of the annual Joint Sea-2026 naval drills, highlighting deepening military ties between Moscow and Beijing that are increasingly watched with unease from Taipei. The sea phase of the exercises brought…
Richard Saunders, Siem Reap A Chinese nuclear-powered submarine launched a long-range ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, marking Beijing’s first such test since 2024. PLA Navy spokesman Wang Xuemeng described the launch as “a routine part of annual training,” adding that China had notified relevant countries in advance. He…
Francis Tushcek, Okinawa China has launched a ‘special maritime law enforcement operation’ east of Taiwan in response to the announcement of maritime border talks in the area by Japan and the Philippines. China – which views the self-ruled island as its own sovereign territory – protested the negotiations, saying they infringe on its sovereignty. The…
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh Chinese intelligence operatives are posing as recruiters online to lure UK government and military-linked personnel into revealing sensitive information, according to a warning issued by the Five Eyes network. In a joint security bulletin, the intelligence partnership – comprising the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – said covert agents…
Clockwise from top left: Duncan Webb, Laura McClure, Maureen Pugh and David Wilson Dave Chamberlain, Honiara China has imposed a one-year entry ban on four New Zealand MPs after they travelled to Taiwan, a decision one of the lawmakers says is meant to intimidate elected representatives. The MPs – Maureen Pugh, Duncan Webb, Laura McClure,…
Francis Tuschek- Belgrade Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has warned that rising protectionism is pushing the EU toward economic stagnation, arguing that mounting barriers to investment between Europe, China and the United States are constraining growth rather than protecting it. Speaking shortly after a visit to Beijing, where he secured more than US$1 billion in Chinese…
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh China is restricting overseas travel for leading AI specialists from companies including Alibaba and DeepSeek, as Beijing pushes for greater self-reliance in artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductors, Bloomberg has reported. Citing anonymous sources, the outlet claimed on Tuesday that Chinese authorities have begun requiring advanced AI researchers, executives, startup founders, and…
Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh The US-Israeli war against Iran has handed China a strategic opening to chip away at US influence on every major front, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing a classified intelligence analysis. Two US officials familiar with the matter told the newspaper that the document was produced by the Joint Staff’s…
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh Taiwanese officials and analysts will be closely monitoring the U.S. president’s visit to Beijing, viewing the high‑profile talks as a significant moment for regional stability. While the discussions centered on easing friction between Washington and Beijing, political leaders in Taipei remain steady but alert. From Taiwan’s perspective, great‑power dialogue is generally…