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US-China relations: the Asian angle

US-China relations: the Asian angle
As the world's two greatest powers jostle for economic influence, what does the future have in store for Asia?
Troops from New Zealand, the Philippines, the US and Australia pose for a photo after taking part in counter-landing live-fire drills during the Balikatan exercises on April 27. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role, makes China uneasy

The scale of this year’s Balikatan exercise has been described as part of a trend that will ‘exacerbate regional instability’.

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US-China relations

Asian Angle | What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia

Japan

US to send powerful missile systems to Japan for drills amid China tensions

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Asean

Opinion | Why China’s warning over military blocs is finding listeners in Asia

For regional governments, strategy is about preserving options. China has read this instinct carefully and given it a diplomatic vocabulary.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-Latin America relations

China consul in Tijuana warns against protectionism as USMCA review nears

Fu Xinrong pitched Beijing’s model of shared modernisation to Mexican business leaders, weeks before a contentious USMCA review.

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US-China relations

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Strait blockade stays as US seizes vessel said to be carrying ammunition for Iran; Beijing denies role and talks face fresh doubt.

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The Philippines

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

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Philippine Navy Colonel Dennis Hernandez (left) looks on as United States Marines Colonel Robert Bunn speaks during a Balikatan briefing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

How a Chinese company said it used AI to track US bomber movements over Iran

MizarVision tried to determine bomber movements based on aerial tanker positions and US attacks on key strategic sites.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran eyes China as Mideast security guarantor. Chinese analysts are not so sure

Comments from Iranian envoy to Beijing come hours after Trump’s two-week suspension of bombing campaign.

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Taiwan

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

US strengths and strains offer Beijing a playbook, but key differences limit how far the conflict can guide future military strategy.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
US-China relations

Mainland Chinese see Taiwan positively, won’t retreat from US trade war: survey

China Pulse polling study gives rare window into views of ordinary people on mainland, where opinions are often restricted or even banned.

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Tourists strike a pose next to a giant Ultraman inflatable displayed at Kaohsiung Wonderland during the Lunar New Year holidays in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in February. Photo: AFP
Asean

Opinion | Fatigue is rewriting the US-China soft power contest, starting in Asean

At a time when no one has bandwidth left, soft power is being won by being the partner that feels usable, steady and low-risk.

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US-China relations

Beijing dominant partner in Russia-China relationship: US congressman Fallon

Lawmaker admits both countries have had a long strategic partnership, but world has now ‘seen that senior partnership shift’ to China.

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US-China relations

Trump’s ‘vacillating’ China policy causing confidence crisis in allies: report

‘Sweeping destruction – rather than careful reforms and policy corrections – is the order of the day’, Munich Security Report 2026 says.

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Munich Security Report 2026 says “the world has entered a period of wrecking-ball politics”. Photo: Handout
China Conference: Southeast Asia

Asean urged to rewrite trade rule book as US turns transactional

The US and China are the top two trading partners for Asean but it is questionable how long that status quo will last, observers say.

Mohamed Amersi (centre) and Bernardino Moningka Vega (right) take part in a plenary panel hosted by SCMP Executive Editor Zuraidah Ibrahim at the China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
Belt and Road Initiative

‘Time is ripe’: why China is eyeing another vast canal link to Southeast Asia

China has almost completed the US$10 billion Pinglu Canal connecting its heartlands to Southeast Asia. Now, it is mulling an even larger waterway.

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US-China relations

US and China defence sectors emerge as key battlegrounds in the race for AI

As both military powers vie to integrate innovative technology first, the race is on to develop and fast-track the latest advancements.

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United States

Opinion | Chilling effect of US outbound investment rules will extend beyond China

Outbound investment rules introduced last year are expanding and hardening into law, chilling US investment across Asia’s tech ecosystems.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the USA House at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21. Photo: AP
Vietnam

Friend or foe? Leaked Vietnamese military document labels US ‘belligerent’

While noting that ‘there is little risk of a war’, document urges vigilance to prevent the US from finding a pretext to invade Vietnam.

US-China relations

Senate bills give clear message to Trump to back Taiwan as Xi meeting approaches

Thursday’s bills send signal to White House that US partnership with Taipei must not be forgotten as Trump threatens Cuba tariffs.

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US-China relations

Would Chinese or US supply lines be more vulnerable in a Pacific conflict?

AI-assisted modelling by the Heritage Foundation finds critical risks to fuel and munitions on both sides.

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According to a Heritage Foundation report, the United States’ oiler fleet would be insufficient for at-sea fuel replenishment during a prolonged conflict with China. Photo: US Navy
US-China relations

US-China cooperation backed by most Americans, new national survey reveals

C100 study finds bipartisan public support for dialogue despite Washington’s tougher stance on visas, research collaboration and tariffs.

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Despite some of US President Donald Trump’s populist rhetoric, a C100 study has found that Americans broadly support Washington and Beijing working more closely together. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

Trump raises tariffs on South Korea as country ‘is not living up’ to trade deal

South Korea’s tariffs had declined to 15 per cent but will jump back up to 25 per cent if the US president stays true to his word.

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Belt and Road Initiative

China close to opening US$10 billion canal linking heartlands to Southeast Asia

The vast waterway in China’s southern Guangxi region is set to open before the end of 2026, according to state media reports.

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US-China relations

China to ‘quietly track’ Greenland developments amid Arctic ambitions: analysts

Beijing to focus on maintaining its ‘constructive relationship with US’ and does not need to ‘disrupt that over Greenland’, say experts.

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US President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire for Greenland to become part of the United States, but China is content to keep a close eye on the situation in the short term. Photo: AFP
United States

Trump lays out Greenland-Arctic deal framework, pauses February tariffs

In his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, the US president vowed not to invade Greenland while slamming Nato and Europe.

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US President Donald Trump waves to the audience after his speech during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. Photo: AP
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Trump tells Davos US must have Greenland but won’t use force – as it happened

US president boasted close ties with China’s Xi, vowed not to invade Greenland and slammed WEF host Switzerland in overtime speech.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Why so many states reject bloc rivalry to choose partnership with China

It’s a calculated choice to keep growth, infrastructure momentum and policy space alive in a world that punishes the economically exposed.

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