Month: July 2025

‘Own the story’: China urged to control its narrative to counteract the West

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China must leverage its new cultural symbols and stay open to interacting with scholars across Asia to reshape its global messaging, Chinese experts have said, urging Beijing to counterbalance what they say is a historically dominant Western narrative. Advertisement They also noted that Beijing should take a more proactive role in shaping international rules and norms in emerging fields to align soft power with China’s growth, especially as the foundations of the United States’ hard power appeared increasingly fragile. Zheng Yongnian, a prominent political scientist, said China must take a…

As Trump’s tariff regime becomes clear, Americans may start to foot the bill

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Burying the hatchet with Brussels, Donald Trump – flanked by the leader of the European Commission – hailed a bold new era of transatlantic relations, an ambitious economic pact, and declared: “This was a very big day for free and fair trade.” That was seven years ago. And then on Sunday, the US president – flanked by a different leader of the European Commission – hailed another new era of transatlantic relations, another economic pact and declared: “I think it’s the biggest deal ever made.” Trumpian hyperbole can typically be…

Tata Sons fends off central bank IPO order as deadline looms

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Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the Indian business & finance myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. India’s largest conglomerate Tata Sons is expected to fend off a regulator’s order for an initial public offering that would have introduced greater transparency at the closely held group. The Reserve Bank of India had wanted Tata Sons to list by the end of September in accordance with central bank rules that classify it as a major shadow lender. Analysts estimated the company could attract a valuation as…

Trump’s tariff blitz brings US levies to highest levels since 1930s

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Trial $1 for 4 weeks Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism. Cancel anytime during your trial. Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set alerts with myFT FT Videos & Podcasts 20 monthly gift articles to share Lex: FT’s flagship investment column 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition Financial Times

Take an independent tack on China, Wang Yi urges South Korea

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has used his first official phone call with his new South Korean counterpart to call on Seoul to oppose “decoupling” and to pursue an independent foreign policy. Advertisement In his call with Cho Hyun on Monday, Wang urged South Korea to promote a “stable, sustainable and predictable” China policy and to deepen pragmatic cooperation, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said the two ministers spoke for about 45 minutes, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership…

Where to eat in Singapore: top tips from Dave Pynt of Michelin-starred Burnt Ends

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I was born in Perth, Australia, and I’ve been fortunate to work and live in some of the world’s top gastronomic destinations. I began my career in Sydney and later moved to Copenhagen, the Basque Country and London, where we launched the first Burnt Ends pop-up. But Singapore, where I now live and have my restaurant, is awesome. Here, the dining scene is supported by Singaporeans, tourists and residents who treat eating as a sport, rather than a necessity. The city has a wonderful varied food scene, a melting pot…

Global AI rivalry is a dangerous game

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Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world The writer is former senior director for China and Taiwan Affairs at the White House National Security Council and a senior research scholar at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs On a phone call with Donald Trump days before his 2025 inauguration, Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, told the incoming president that the US would achieve human-level artificial general intelligence during his term in office. Altman…

China struggles to break its addiction to manufacturing

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Trial $1 for 4 weeks Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism. Cancel anytime during your trial. Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set alerts with myFT FT Videos & Podcasts 20 monthly gift articles to share Lex: FT’s flagship investment column 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition Financial Times

China offers parents $1,500 in bid to boost births

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Parents in China are being offered 3,600 yuan (£375; $500) a year for each of their children under the age of three in the government’s first nationwide subsidy aimed at boosting birth rates. The country’s birth rate has been falling even since the ruling Communist Party abolished its controversial one-child policy almost a decade ago. The handouts will help around 20 million families with the cost of raising children, according to state media. Several provinces across China have piloted some form of pay outs to encourage people to have more…

At least 30 killed as storms lash Beijing

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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. At least 30 people have been killed as heavy storms lashed Beijing, while authorities relocated tens of thousands of people from the region around the Chinese capital after almost a full season’s worth of rain fell overnight. More than 80,000 people have been moved following the storms, which caused significant damage in the mountainous areas north of Beijing, according to state broadcaster China Central Television. President Xi Jinping said on…