https://www.scmp.com/rss/516396/feed Asma Khalid is an independent researcher and former visiting fellow at the Stimson Center. Her areas of interest are nuclear politics and security issues of South Asia. Twitter: @AsmaKhalid_11 en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Asma Khalid Asma Khalid At the Islamabad Conclave earlier this month, Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, urged a rethink of how South Asia approaches security, trade, climate and connectivity. He called for practical cooperation, disaster response mechanisms and economic integration rather than allowing old rivalries to dictate every interaction. This reimagined vision for South Asia seems to have emerged from a renewed confidence in Pakistan given that the country has recently achieved a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3335741/how-pakistans-rising-confidence-could-shape-cooperative-south-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3335741/how-pakistans-rising-confidence-could-shape-cooperative-south-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Azeem Khalid,Asma Khalid Azeem Khalid,Asma Khalid The signing of the Asean-China free trade agreement upgrade last month looked procedural. It wasn’t. The protocol adds chapters on digital trade, the green economy, supply chain connectivity, and the nuts and bolts of trade facilitation. These elements matter more than tariff cuts. As US tariffs on Chinese goods remain high, including on electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and solar cells, agreements that reduce friction, harmonise standards and streamline certification are becoming strategic... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332246/how-asean-quietly-became-chinas-buffer-against-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332246/how-asean-quietly-became-chinas-buffer-against-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:30:09 +0000 Asma Khalid Asma Khalid There are fresh worries across Europe’s factory floors. The US has started applying steel and aluminium tariffs to a growing list of finished goods. In August, Washington added 407 new items to the tariff list. These include parts for wind turbines, cranes, bulldozers, railcars, motorcycles, marine engines, appliances and furniture. It marks a shift from raw materials to the everyday components Europe sells to American buyers. Earlier in June, the White House had already doubled the tariff rate... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3327729/europe-should-focus-beating-us-tariffs-not-chinese-evs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3327729/europe-should-focus-beating-us-tariffs-not-chinese-evs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 12:30:08 +0000 Asma Khalid Asma Khalid On August 1, China’s state planner announced a crackdown on “herd behaviour” in emerging industries, targeting the surge of capital into hot sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and solar. Officials warned against “blind imitation” where firms large and small pile into the same space, sparking price wars and overcapacity. This frenzy, often dubbed neijuan or “involution” in China, has become a major liability. The new rules aim to prevent chaotic boom-bust cycles and enforce... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3322027/chinas-shift-quality-redrawing-southeast-asias-tech-map?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3322027/chinas-shift-quality-redrawing-southeast-asias-tech-map?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Asma Khalid Asma Khalid US President Donald Trump’s return to tariff diplomacy is on full display in Southeast Asia as he boasts of trade deals with first Vietnam, then Indonesia. The region faces some of the world’s steepest US tariffs come August 1, and many countries have rushed into last-minute talks to avoid economic fallout. Trump has announced a 19 per cent tariff on all Indonesian goods entering the United States under a deal, down from 32 per cent, with Indonesia agreeing in return to buy 50 Boeing jets and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3318816/trade-deals-show-us-now-seeks-rent-asean-not-partnership?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3318816/trade-deals-show-us-now-seeks-rent-asean-not-partnership?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Jul 2025 12:30:11 +0000 Asma Khalid Asma Khalid On June 14, the Chinese military conducted sea and air patrols in the South China Sea, even as the Philippines and Japan held a joint drill in the waters. Earlier in the month, the US and the Philippines had held joint exercises in the sea. Tian Junli, spokesperson of the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command, criticised the Philippines for “courting non-regional countries and organisations” – likely alluding to the US and Japan – to conduct such drills, saying they “raised security... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3315228/south-china-sea-digital-commons-could-help-calm-troubled-waters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3315228/south-china-sea-digital-commons-could-help-calm-troubled-waters?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Jun 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Asma Khalid Asma Khalid Asean is at a critical juncture. The Southeast Asian bloc, caught between the currents of the US-China trade war, is making a dive for strategic space between a new free-trade agreement with China and the possibility of a Trump tariff meeting. Last month, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations finalised negotiations to upgrade their 15-year-old free-trade agreement. Set to be signed by the end of the year, the deal aims to deepen China-Asean economic integration by incorporating... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3312500/moment-us-china-rivalry-aseans-chance-remake-bloc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3312500/moment-us-china-rivalry-aseans-chance-remake-bloc?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Jun 2025 08:30:08 +0000 Asma Khalid Asma Khalid Last month, Cambodia allowed foreign warships from multiple nations to access its Ream naval base in a clear bid to show it is not merely a Chinese outpost. A Vietnamese gunboat docked on April 27, following the arrival of two Japanese minesweepers after Cambodia inaugurated the upgraded facility. Russian naval vessels also docked at Ream during a visit that began in late April. The Phnom Penh Post reported that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet “welcomes requests from all nations” to dock and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3309574/align-security-interests-china-and-asean-must-close-trust-gaps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3309574/align-security-interests-china-and-asean-must-close-trust-gaps?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 May 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus concluded a four-day visit to China last month, marking his first state visit since assuming office. Significantly, he chose to be in Beijing on Bangladesh’s independence day. During his trip, Beijing committed to US$2.1 billion in investments, loans and grants, including US$400 million to modernise Mongla Port and US$350 million to develop an industrial zone to host Chinese manufacturing and boost Dhaka’s capacity. Yunus also sought Chinese support to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3305570/how-china-can-help-bangladesh-escape-indias-foreign-policy-grip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3305570/how-china-can-help-bangladesh-escape-indias-foreign-policy-grip?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Apr 2025 21:30:07 +0000 Speaking during the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing on March 6, China’s ambassador to the European Union Lu Shaye asserted that any peace agreement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should not be determined solely by the United States and Russia. This perspective aligns with that of several major European nations, reflecting a shared interest in preventing a potential US-Russia rapprochement that could undermine EU and Chinese interests. The EU is under increasing... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3301940/what-china-and-eu-can-gain-aligning-ukraine-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3301940/what-china-and-eu-can-gain-aligning-ukraine-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Mar 2025 21:30:07 +0000 US President Donald Trump and tariffs go hand in glove. On January 20, he announced the creation of the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs from foreign countries and enrich US citizens. Although he did not mention China in that respect, it remains the most obvious target of such tariffs. During the presidential campaign, Trump vowed to impose tariffs as high as 60 per cent on Chinese imports. These would likely be on specific goods, whereas most Chinese goods would be more likely to see... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3296161/why-chinas-supply-chains-face-threats-beyond-trump-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3296161/why-chinas-supply-chains-face-threats-beyond-trump-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jan 2025 21:30:08 +0000 As United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Korea and Japan on his farewell tour of the region, North Korea fired a ballistic missile that landed in waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering commitment to defending South Korea, emphasising the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and strengthening trilateral collaboration with Japan. In August 2023, President Joe Biden hosted impeached South Korean president... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3293906/why-us-will-not-allow-nuclear-armed-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3293906/why-us-will-not-allow-nuclear-armed-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jan 2025 21:30:09 +0000 During the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Kazakhstan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged member states to increase cooperation against terrorism. Citing terrorist attacks in Russia and Pakistan, China’s top diplomat urged SCO members to intensify efforts in uplifting security and coordination, especially in terms of intelligence sharing and joint operations. Highlighting the existence of various terrorist forces, and given China’s border with... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3264427/china-and-south-asia-must-solve-regional-tensions-fight-terrorism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3264427/china-and-south-asia-must-solve-regional-tensions-fight-terrorism?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 May 2024 21:30:08 +0000 Argentina’s Foreign Minister Diana Mondino and finance officials visited China this week amid an urgent need to renew their US$6.5 billion currency swap agreement. These swaps were frozen by China last December after the election of President Javier Milei, who labelled the government in Beijing “assassins” during his election campaign and has vowed to pivot towards the US. Milei has since moderated his stance, recognising the economic challenges facing Argentina. With dwindling foreign exchange... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3260952/why-china-should-reassess-its-strategy-argentina-and-latin-america?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3260952/why-china-should-reassess-its-strategy-argentina-and-latin-america?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 May 2024 08:30:11 +0000 Last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the Congress-led government in 1974 “gave away” Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. The island is situated between a district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna peninsula. Worryingly, India’s external affairs minister S. Jaishankar backed Modi’s assertion at a press conference and spoke of finding a “solution”. Jaishankar’s statements raise the possibility that India could formally assert a claim... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3258276/modis-claim-sri-lankan-island-may-be-more-indian-election-talk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3258276/modis-claim-sri-lankan-island-may-be-more-indian-election-talk?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Apr 2024 01:30:22 +0000 Recent reports have indicated that China is shifting its focus within the Belt and Road Initiative towards sharing technical expertise, emphasising “small but beautiful” projects over larger infrastructure investments such as roads and ports. This pivot presents the most effective response to US competition and constraints, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The mainstay of China’s signature initiative has been infrastructure investment and construction of roads, railways and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3256220/chinas-tech-sharing-pivot-belt-and-road-its-best-interests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3256220/chinas-tech-sharing-pivot-belt-and-road-its-best-interests?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:30:18 +0000 On March 3, Shehbaz Sharif was elected as Pakistan’s new prime minister. A member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he was a joint candidate of an eight-party coalition for the post. The general election, held on February 8, resulted in a split mandate, with no single party securing a simple majority to form a government. Candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, won 93 seats, followed by the PML-N and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with 75 and 54 seats... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/asia/article/3253872/what-pakistans-political-changes-mean-china-us-and-india?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/asia/article/3253872/what-pakistans-political-changes-mean-china-us-and-india?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Mar 2024 21:30:20 +0000 On January 21, Indonesia held its fourth presidential election debate. The vice-presidential hopefuls, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Muhaimin Iskandar and Mahfud MD, focused on policy issues related to Indonesia’s green energy transition, sustainable development and strict environmental regulations. The fifth and final debate, between the presidential candidates, will be held on February 4. Commentary on the previous debates between the presidential candidates portrayed Defence Minister Prabowo... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3249419/indonesias-presidential-election-nears-debates-wont-make-or-break-prabowos-prospects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3249419/indonesias-presidential-election-nears-debates-wont-make-or-break-prabowos-prospects?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:30:15 +0000 In response to the recent US request for Australian support in Operation Prosperity Guardian – to combat Houthi-led attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – Canberra declined to deploy its warships or planes, citing resource constraints and the complicated Indo-Pacific strategic environment. However, it agreed to triple its troop deployment to the US-led naval force. Canberra’s strategic shift to the Indo-Pacific began in 2020, when the Morrison government prioritised Australia’s security and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3247481/why-australia-wary-supporting-us-led-red-sea-operations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3247481/why-australia-wary-supporting-us-led-red-sea-operations?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:30:08 +0000 As the United States and its allies grapple with a wave of attacks on commercial ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, China is conspicuously absent from international efforts to protect shipping in the Red Sea. US-led efforts so far have focused on defensive actions, intercepting Houthi drones and missiles on ships near the Yemeni coast, even as a diplomatic outreach is under way. The US is reportedly even considering joint military strikes to cripple the base of the Iranian-backed Houthis but... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3245913/chinas-inaction-over-red-sea-shipping-attacks-could-exact-high-price?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3245913/chinas-inaction-over-red-sea-shipping-attacks-could-exact-high-price?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Dec 2023 01:30:13 +0000 The United States and China engaged in rare nuclear arms control talks recently. However, there are questions about the feasibility of nuclear arms reduction given that a recent US Congressional Strategic Posture Commission study recommended that Washington expand its nuclear arsenal to deter the simultaneous aggression of Russia and China, identified as “two-nuclear-peer” rivals. Currently, the US and Russia have each deployed more than 1,500 nuclear warheads, with thousands more in storage. On... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3241082/us-must-adapt-its-nuclear-arms-control-policies-get-china-board?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3241082/us-must-adapt-its-nuclear-arms-control-policies-get-china-board?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Nov 2023 12:30:15 +0000 On August 10, Chinese warship Hai Yang 24 Hao, a surveillance vessel, called at the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. Its arrival coincided with the Malabar exercises off the east coast of Australia. The 10-day drills involve submarines and aircraft from India, Japan, Australia and the United States – all members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. En route to Sydney’s shores, Indian naval warships sailed through Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, showcasing India’s growing interest in... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3231069/how-india-gaining-ground-its-indo-pacific-maritime-contest-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3231069/how-india-gaining-ground-its-indo-pacific-maritime-contest-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:00:18 +0000