https://www.scmp.com/rss/523022/feed William Burns is the current Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, a role he assumed in March 2021, becoming the first career diplomat to hold the position. Elevated to Cabinet rank in July 2023, he spent 33 years in the US Foreign Service. His past roles include Deputy Secretary of State, Ambassador to Russia and Jordan, and President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Yuanyue Dang,Amber Wang Yuanyue Dang,Amber Wang The latest weapons systems featured in China’s Victory Day parade have shown Beijing’s sharp focus on safeguarding its sovereign integrity over Taiwan and its ability to defend against any attempt to break away, according to analysts. Although Taiwan was not directly mentioned in President Xi Jinping’s keynote address on Wednesday, it is often used by military observers as a yardstick to measure the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities and progress. The cutting-edge weapons showcased in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3324227/mainland-china-weaponry-parade-shows-beijings-sharp-focus-taiwan-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3324227/mainland-china-weaponry-parade-shows-beijings-sharp-focus-taiwan-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:00:13 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou Ahead of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, marking the end of the Sino-Japanese war and the global fight against fascism, we look at the profound changes of the post-war period and how they continue to affect China’s place in the world. Part four of this series examines how the history of Sino-American cooperation has been extolled as a potential formula for better bilateral ties from the ground up. Behind the familiar history of World War II lies a forgotten front, lined with unsung heroes... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323755/could-remembering-shared-world-war-ii-history-be-key-better-china-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323755/could-remembering-shared-world-war-ii-history-be-key-better-china-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 22:00:18 +0000 Debasish Roy Chowdhury Debasish Roy Chowdhury China and India are having a bit of a moment. Five years after a fatal confrontation on their unresolved border pushed relations over the edge, the two sides are rushing towards a detente. They are restoring peace along the border, reversing trade and investment curbs, easing visa restrictions to promote business and tourism, resuming direct flights and orchestrating a flurry of high-level official visits to formalise the thaw. This weekend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting China... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323704/china-and-india-love-time-cholera?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323704/china-and-india-love-time-cholera?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 06:30:08 +0000 Yuanyue Dang,Amber Wang Yuanyue Dang,Amber Wang China is on a mission to turn its military into a modern fighting force. In the final article in this four-part series, we look at President Xi Jinping’s military goals and obstacles facing the People’s Liberation Army. The 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II is intended to display both the strength and solidarity of the People’s Liberation Army. But just two weeks before it is set to take place, Beijing announced that former navy chief of staff Li Hanjun – a veteran... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3323170/chinas-2027-pla-goal-victory-day-parade-puts-progress-and-challenges-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3323170/chinas-2027-pla-goal-victory-day-parade-puts-progress-and-challenges-show?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:00:09 +0000 Walter Woon Walter Woon This August marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia. Contrary to the narrative often presented by Western commentators, the conflict did not begin in 1941, but in 1937, when Japan invaded China. Unfortunately, this has been forgotten. In a breathtaking display of historical ignorance, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly declared during his first visit to Japan: “We share a warrior ethos that defines our forces. Japan is our indispensable partner in deterring... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3320491/how-historical-amnesia-fuels-us-china-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3320491/how-historical-amnesia-fuels-us-china-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Aug 2025 06:30:09 +0000