South China Morning Post
Xi-Trump summit plans, Nepal disaster, SCO summit
Month: August 2026
Bangladesh confirms Chinese J-10CE jet deal, citing Rafale kill in India-Pakistan clash
One military expert said it was a sign that the global perception of Chinese weapons was shifting and the market would gradually open. Zahed Ur Rahman, information and broadcasting adviser to the prime minister of Bangladesh, said on Tuesday that a draft proposal to buy the Chinese J-10CE had been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Armed Forces Division for final approval, according to the website of the Press Information Department (PID) of Bangladesh on Wednesday. The draft proposal also includes the purchase of Chinese attack helicopters, VIP transport…
China pledges to send urgent emergency aid to Nepal after deadly landslide
Beijing has promised to send emergency aid to Nepal as Chinese rescuers continued to fight their way through hazardous conditions in an effort to reach the border checkpoint hit by deadly flash floods this week. The disaster has left five dead and 558 missing in Tibet’s Gyirong county, while Nepal reported 469 dead and nearly 1,000 missing. Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to his Nepalese counterpart Ram Chandra Poudel following the devastating mudslides, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Xi also chaired a meeting of the Politburo…
Truce in DR Congo offers US mining foothold while Chinese firms dominate output
But observers say that even a lasting settlement would leave the United States far behind China, whose companies have spent decades building mining assets, relationships and supply chains across the country. The peace road map followed five days of talks and set out steps and timelines for negotiations under a US-brokered framework reached last year. The two sides also agreed to establish a mechanism for investigating ceasefire violations, although parties remain divided over sanctions on M23, the release of detainees and the timing of political reforms. How China is reshaping…
Will Australia be locked out of top scientific research by shunning Chinese universities?
Australia’s decision to axe partnerships with two Chinese universities has raised concerns that Canberra is moving to align with Washington on research security policy. One analyst warned that Canberra’s latest move would not hinder Chinese progress, but it could leave Australia locked out of top-tier scientific research. The Australian National University confirmed in a statement that it would comply with Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s order earlier this month to end its teaching partnership with Shandong University on national security grounds. ANU said the university took “risks associated with foreign interference,…
Flood risk forces halt to rescues in Tibet, as Nepal death toll rises to 469
A lake formed by a landslide on the Nepal-Tibet border has started to overflow, putting at risk areas devastated by a flash flood two days ago and forcing a temporary halt to rescue efforts, authorities in China and Nepal have said. Residents in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, on the border with Tibet, were seen rushing up hillsides to escape any surge in the river level, according to a witnesses. Authorities in Nepal have stopped rescue operations for at least 90 minutes, an army officer said. The risk of the lake bursting…
Storm travel chaos as Typhoon Saudel makes double landfall in China
Typhoon Saudel made landfall in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang, disrupting flights and ferry services across major urban centres, including the industrial hub of Ningbo and the economic powerhouse of Shanghai. Ningbo Lishe International Airport suspended all flight operations from 11.30pm on Thursday. Even though services resumed at 11am on Friday, some 16 inbound and 28 outbound flights were cancelled for the day. In the Zhejiang city of Wenzhou, a base for private enterprise, 197 flights were grounded on Friday. Asia’s top climate expert warns of ‘humanitarian disasters’ Adjacent…
US visa interviews on hold; China slams fresh sanctions over Iran: SCMP’s 7 highlights
00:00 00:00 1.00x South China Morning Post
Is China’s ‘wise camel’ the winner from the US-Iran war?
Beijing has threatened to retaliate with ‘all necessary measures’ if the US hits it with sanctionsFinancial Times
How typhoons and extreme weather could undermine Taiwan Strait combat readiness
The record heat and extreme weather seen across East Asia this summer have prompted warnings that climate change will be an increasing challenge for military planners focused on potential flashpoints such as the Taiwan Strait. Besides the risks to both troops and equipment, typhoons and other storms could also damage critical infrastructure and disrupt training, as well as divert personnel and resources towards emergency relief. Although militaries may be able to adapt in peacetime, they may have less flexibility in times of war, where extreme weather could have a direct…