China and India’s ‘cold peace’; tree planting linked to droughts: SCMP daily highlights
From China souring on Canadian canola to Chinese mini dramas exploring potential in US and beyond, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage
1. Planting trees could lead to droughts in parts of US and Asia: Chinese-led study
Planting trees in some parts of the world could cause droughts, according to a Chinese-led study that suggested greening efforts should take regional conditions into account to be effective.
2. China is turning away from Canadian canola. Will Australia fill the gap?
Canada’s status as the dominant supplier of canola to China appears to be under threat as shipments plunge amid a tit-for-tat tariff battle between the two nations. And Australia is already emerging as an alternative source of the staple vegetable oil, analysts and industry insiders say.
3. The Chinese multiple rocket launcher poised to match the US’ Himars system
As tensions intensify across the Taiwan Strait, Beijing has ramped up its firepower capacity to prepare for a possible war in the region. One of the weapon systems key to these efforts is the PHL-16, a truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) that incorporates modular design and long-range precision-strike capabilities.