1. No bending the knee for Iran Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, balanced defiance against the US with an openness to dialogue, in an address that had been in doubt as it was unclear he would be issued a visa to enter the country. “We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” he said. “Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country.” Referring to the United States, Pezeshkian added: “Yes, they did hit us, but we did not bend the knee.” The…
Day: September 23, 2026
Big picture or big deals? What the Xi-Trump summit holds for China and the US
With the balance of power shifting between the US and China, the success of this week’s summit hinges not on headline-grabbing deals, but on practical, cautious consensus under a new strategic stability framework, according to Chinese researchers. Media outlets in China have given heavy coverage to President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States, highlighting its “historic, milestone significance”. It follows US President Donald Trump’s Beijing visit in May. Xi’s arrival in Washington on Wednesday dominated state media headlines, with images and footage of Trump greeting the Chinese leader…
Xi Jinping meets Trump: who holds the cards? – podcast
You know when world leaders ring each other up for a chat? It’s never just them on the line. Eavesdropping silently on another extension, just out of sight, there is always someone like Jon Czin listening in. Czin was the director for China on Joe Biden’s national security council from 2021 to 2023, having honed his expertise as the CIA’s in-house expert on Xi Jinping. He dealt with a lot during his two years working for the White House, but as Donald Trump prepares to welcome Xi Jinping to Washington…
China’s top priority should be wages, not AI
“Whoever wins with AI wins,” US President Donald Trump has declared, dismissing warnings about the risks of developing artificial intelligence too rapidly and citing rivalry with China. The technological competition is real. China has reason to fear becoming dependent on America for advanced chips and AI technology, particularly as Washington has repeatedly restricted its access to cutting-edge semiconductors. China, meanwhile, is directing enormous resources towards AI. Stanford University’s 2026 AI Index estimates that Chinese government guidance funds deployed US$184 billion into AI-related companies between 2000 and 2023. I am no…
China-Russia space camp in Malaysia opens to youth in Southeast Asia
While major powers compete in militarised space races and state-led megaprojects, a group comprising a Russian astronaut trainer, Chinese science educators and Malaysian collaborators is laying the groundwork for an international youth space camp. Set to be held in Penang’s rainforest eco-park in late 2027 at the earliest, the week-long programme will gather youth from around the region to inspire future spacefarers, scientists and global citizens through physical exercises, immersion in space and natural sciences, and ethical education to build positive personality traits. The project is an initiative in “people’s…
Russia-China space camp in Malaysia opens to youth in Southeast Asia
While major powers compete in militarised space races and state-led megaprojects, a group comprising a Russian astronaut trainer, Chinese science educators and Malaysian collaborators is laying the groundwork for an international youth space camp. Set to be held in Penang’s rainforest eco-park in late 2027 at the earliest, the week-long programme will gather youth from around the region to inspire future spacefarers, scientists and global citizens through physical exercises, immersion in space and natural sciences, and ethical education to build positive personality traits. The project is an initiative in “people’s…
Trump greets Xi Jinping at plane as Chinese leader arrives for state visit
Donald Trump welcomed Xi Jinping on Wednesday evening, taking the unusual step of greeting the Chinese leader on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews to kick off his state visit to Washington. Xi’s plane was met with a lavish arrival ceremony that included a 100ft long red carpet flanked by US service members, a military flyover by two B-1 bombers and a presentation of the flags and national anthems of both countries. US presidents typically welcome foreign leaders at the White House, but Trump and first lady Melania Trump traveled…
Photos: China’s Xi Jinping receives rare welcome as Trump summit begins
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington on Wednesday for a three-day visit. Trump and U.S. first lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan on a 100-foot-long red carpet rolled out on the tarmac beside Xi’s plane at the Maryland military base that hosts Air Force One. A military band played, and cannons blasted ceremonial fire as they greeted each other. Trump winced as a loud B-1 military bomber flew overhead. The leaders then went their separate ways,…
Trump greets Xi Jinping at airport in rare personal welcome ahead of high stakes US-China summit – live
From 50m ago Trump greets Xi at airport in rare personal welcome to US Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington and been greeted by Donald Trump at the airport instead of waiting for him to drive to the White House. The decision to greet the Chinese leader there has been reported as showing how far Trump is going to honour China’s leader as he makes his first state visit to the US capital in more than a decade. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife Peng…
Peng Liyuan and Melania Trump renew acquaintance as Xi arrives in US
Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan shared a light moment with Melania Trump on Wednesday as the two women renewed an acquaintance dating back to the Trumps’ first term in the White House. The first ladies smiled as they greeted each other at the foot of the aircraft stairs at Joint Base Andrews, where Peng arrived with President Xi Jinping for a visit to Washington. Walking behind their husbands along the red carpet, Peng gestured towards the honour guard, apparently remarking on the soldiers’ height. After the welcoming ceremony, Peng mouthed…