The Sela Tunnel which connects Tezpur and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh was constructed at an altitude of 13,000 feet (39,600 metres). Photo: X/ @gemsofbabus_

High-altitude tunnel becomes new flashpoint in rising India-China tensions

The opening of the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel sparked a war of words between Beijing and New Delhi, both of which claim the Arunachal Pradesh region where it was built.

26 Mar 2024 - 7:28PM

Will South Korea’s Yoon ignore calls to say ‘xie xie’ and forget Taiwan?

Conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol looks set to maintain a hardline stance on Beijing despite the expected victory of ‘submissive’ liberals in next month’s parliamentary elections.

Conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol looks set to maintain a hardline stance on Beijing despite the expected victory of ‘submissive’ liberals in next month’s parliamentary elections.

25 Mar 2024 - 4:30PM

Is coal stoking a new era for China-Australia ties as shipments surge?

China’s imports of Australian coal increased by 3,188 per cent year on year to US$1.34 billion in the first two months of 2024 amid improving relations between Beijing and Canberra.

China’s imports of Australian coal increased by 3,188 per cent year on year to US$1.34 billion in the first two months of 2024 amid improving relations between Beijing and Canberra.

22 Mar 2024 - 7:40PM

India-friendly Bhutan walks tightrope as it seeks to end border row with China

While Bhutan relies on India economically, Delhi also needs to ensure Thimpu remains an ally amid Beijing’s increasing presence and influence in the kingdom, analysts say.

While Bhutan relies on India economically, Delhi also needs to ensure Thimpu remains an ally amid Beijing’s increasing presence and influence in the kingdom, analysts say.

19 Mar 2024 - 6:00PM

White House to host first-ever US-Philippines-Japan summit to counter China

US President Joe Biden’s press secretary confirmed the April 11 meeting with Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Fumio Kishida to ‘advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship’.

US President Joe Biden’s press secretary confirmed the April 11 meeting with Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Fumio Kishida to ‘advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship’.

19 Mar 2024 - 12:03PM

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Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) meets his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on March 18. Photo: AFP

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

19 Mar 2024 - 10:36AM

Beijing criticises South Korea for inviting Taiwan to democracy summit

Representatives from Taipei have been included in all three democracy summits, which were begun by US President Joe Biden in 2021, and mainland China has been excluded.

Representatives from Taipei have been included in all three democracy summits, which were begun by US President Joe Biden in 2021, and mainland China has been excluded.

19 Mar 2024 - 12:22AM

Could 3-way meet with the US draw Japan to help Philippines in South China Sea?

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:23PM

Australia should ‘end servility to US’, defuse Aukus deal: ex-Greek minister

Yanis Varoufakis says diplomacy is a ‘far better way’ for Canberra to engage with Beijing, and that the Aukus deal would ‘turbocharge a new Cold War’.

Yanis Varoufakis says diplomacy is a ‘far better way’ for Canberra to engage with Beijing, and that the Aukus deal would ‘turbocharge a new Cold War’.

14 Mar 2024 - 12:46PM

Alleged South Korean spy case in Russia ‘won’t be settled soon’ as ties worsen

The arrest of Baek Kwang-soon comes as relations between Seoul and Moscow have deteriorated since the Ukraine war, while ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer.

The arrest of Baek Kwang-soon comes as relations between Seoul and Moscow have deteriorated since the Ukraine war, while ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer.

13 Mar 2024 - 8:36PM

Are China and Vietnam on collision course over Beijing’s Gulf of Tonkin marking?

The demarcation could also be an “inevitable step” towards the disputed Spratly Islands being the next area where Beijing wants to set its lines.

The demarcation could also be an “inevitable step” towards the disputed Spratly Islands being the next area where Beijing wants to set its lines.

13 Mar 2024 - 6:03PM

Is Philippines at front line of ‘WWII-style war’ with China over disputed sea?

President Marcos Jnr recently described his country as a frontline state, in remarks that recalled the Philippines’ dark chapter of being colonised by Japan.

President Marcos Jnr recently described his country as a frontline state, in remarks that recalled the Philippines’ dark chapter of being colonised by Japan.

12 Mar 2024 - 6:00PM

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim makes ‘no apology’ for Hamas links on Germany visit

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:49PM

Can India forge a 3-way Indo-Pacific partnership with Japan and South Korea?

India’s deepening security ties with both nations highlights its growing ability to act as a go-between as Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific grows, analysts say.

India’s deepening security ties with both nations highlights its growing ability to act as a go-between as Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific grows, analysts say.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:17PM

Quad summit delay sparks fears over US commitment in Asia-Pacific

Despite the Quad members’ different positions on some issues, the bloc is committed to boosting regional security to counter China’s influence.

Despite the Quad members’ different positions on some issues, the bloc is committed to boosting regional security to counter China’s influence.

11 Mar 2024 - 8:00AM

US and Japan ‘mulling defence cooperation that could help Ukraine’

The allies are trying to plan an arrangement in conjunction with an April summit between PM Kishida and US President Biden, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.

The allies are trying to plan an arrangement in conjunction with an April summit between PM Kishida and US President Biden, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.

10 Mar 2024 - 4:58PM

Will stronger Manila-Canberra ties lead to Western support in South China Sea?

Manila and Canberra’s interests are ‘intertwined’, President Marcos Jnr said in remarks seen as a subtle message to China it has the West’s security support if needed.

Manila and Canberra’s interests are ‘intertwined’, President Marcos Jnr said in remarks seen as a subtle message to China it has the West’s security support if needed.

9 Mar 2024 - 12:00PM

Can Shehbaz Sharif thaw Pakistan-India ties as Kashmir remains sticking point?

Analysts say disputed Kashmir remains a sore issue, while new PM Sharif needs a ‘national consensus’ to change China-friendly Pakistan’s policy on India.

Analysts say disputed Kashmir remains a sore issue, while new PM Sharif needs a ‘national consensus’ to change China-friendly Pakistan’s policy on India.

7 Mar 2024 - 7:57PM

Asean urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ as Malaysia warns time running out for Gaza

The call comes as Malaysia rebukes the international community for a continued failure to end Israel’s five-month bombardment and get urgent aid to Palestinians.

The call comes as Malaysia rebukes the international community for a continued failure to end Israel’s five-month bombardment and get urgent aid to Palestinians.

6 Mar 2024 - 10:31PM

Australia ‘buying US hegemony’, ex-PM says as he slams Canberra’s China policy

Southeast Asian nations typically avoid a zero-sum position between superpowers US and China, analysts say, despite growing Chinese influence in the region.

Southeast Asian nations typically avoid a zero-sum position between superpowers US and China, analysts say, despite growing Chinese influence in the region.

6 Mar 2024 - 5:47PM