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China and Russia have joined Iran in opposing a European push to reinstate UN sanctions on Tehran. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany invoked the “snapback mechanism” from the 2015 nuclear deal, citing Iran’s breaches of the agreement. In response, the foreign ministers of China, Russia, and Iran condemned the move as “legally and procedurally flawed” and urged a diplomatic solution, Reuters reported.

The 2015 nuclear deal lifted sanctions in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear program, but after the US withdrawal in 2018, Iran began exceeding uranium enrichment limits. The agreement is set to expire in October 2025, and the European snapback effort aims to restore sanctions unless blocked by the UN Security Council.

China, Russia, and Iran stress that Europe’s action undermines diplomacy and violate the spirit of the agreement, according to Reuters.

President Donald Trump has defended issuing 600,000 visas to Chinese students, calling a ban “insulting” and saying it benefits smaller US universities. He highlighted his good relationship with China and the economic benefits the students bring, saying the decision is simply “the right thing to do”, BBC reported.

The move drew criticism from some allies, who argued it limits opportunities for American students and raised security concerns. The White House confirmed the visas will be issued over the next two years, in line with previous levels, as trade talks with China continue.

Taiwan has condemned China’s planned military parade in Beijing on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender. Taiwanese officials estimate the event will cost over 36bn Yuan ($5bn), roughly 2 percent of China’s annual defense budget, calling it excessive amid domestic economic challenges, Reuters reported.

The parade also stirs historical disputes. China credits the Communist Party with resisting Japan, while Taiwan emphasizes the Republic of China’s role. Beijing has labeled Taiwan’s denial as “blasphemy,” intensifying tensions.

Set to showcase advanced weaponry under President Xi Jinping, the parade highlights China’s growing military power and underscores ongoing friction with Taipei over history and national identity, according to Reuters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the West for provoking the Ukraine war, citing NATO’s expansion and support for Ukraine’s 2013-14 uprising. Speaking at the SCO summit in Tianjin on September 1, 2025, he said Russia’s military actions were reactive, not the cause of the conflict, Al Jazeera reported.

Putin stressed that lasting peace requires addressing these root causes and highlighted talks with leaders including US President Donald Trump, China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Despite these efforts, negotiations remain stalled, with Russia seeking territorial concessions Ukraine considers unacceptable. Putin’s comments reinforce Moscow’s view that Western policies fuel the conflict, according to Al Jazeera.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin used the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to push for a new world order less dependent on the West, Reuters reported.

Xi urged members to leverage the bloc’s vast markets to deepen trade, energy, infrastructure, and AI cooperation, describing the SCO as a model for multipolar and fairer global governance. Putin echoed this vision, praising the group’s “genuine multilateralism” and growing use of national currencies, which he said could form the basis of a more balanced Eurasian security system.

According to Reuters, the gathering drew leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and officials from across Asia and the Middle East, underlining efforts to project Global South solidarity.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their long-standing partnership during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.

Putin hailed Modi as his “dear friend,” while Modi said India and Russia have “always walked shoulder to shoulder,” calling the relationship vital for peace and stability. The leaders discussed cooperation in trade, fertilizers, space, security and culture, according to Reuters.

Modi also reiterated support for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine after recent talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, describing ties with Russia as a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”

China has urged Indonesia to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens following recent protests in the country, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

Guo added that Beijing respects Jakarta’s decision to cancel President Prabowo Subianto’s planned visit to China for the September 3 “Victory Day” parade, Reuters reported.

Instead, Indonesia will send a representative to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and the military parade in Beijing.

Russia and China have criticized Japan’s plan to host US “Typhon” intermediate-range missiles during joint exercises next month, calling it a threat to regional stability, Al Jazeera reported.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned the deployment poses a direct strategic threat and said Moscow may take “appropriate military-technical measures” if Japan does not reconsider. The ministry also cited Japan’s accelerated militarization and close cooperation with the US.

China urged Japan to act prudently and respect regional trust, calling on Washington and Tokyo to prioritize peace and stability and avoid repeating historical mistakes.

According to Al Jazeera, the Typhon missiles, part of US efforts to strengthen antiship capabilities in Asia, will be stationed at the US Marine Air Station in Iwakuni, Honshu, ahead of the “Resolute Dragon” exercises from September 11–25.

US Senators Roger Wicker and Deb Fischer arrived in Taipei on Friday to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to Taiwan amid growing Chinese military pressure. Wicker, chair of the Armed Services Committee, said the visit highlights the long-standing security partnership and praised Taiwan’s determination to remain free, according to Reuters.

The senators will meet President Lai Ching-te later in the day, ahead of a US Senate debate on the $1trn defense bill that includes new provisions on Taiwan.

Beijing condemned the visit, reiterating its claim over the island as it prepares a major military parade attended by Russian and North Korean leaders, Reuters reported.

China has pledged to strengthen ties with Brazil to “resist unilateralism and bullying,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a call with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira. Wang described the bilateral relationship as “at its best in history” and emphasized cooperation through BRICS to protect developing countries’ interests, according to Al Jazeera.

The call comes as Brazil, under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, considers retaliatory measures against the United States following President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods. China, now Brazil’s largest trading partner, has sought closer ties with Latin America amid rising US-Brazil tensions.

Pakistani drone strikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Khost provinces killed three civilians, including children, and wounded seven others, Afghan officials said.

The Taliban condemned the attacks as a breach of sovereignty and summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul to lodge a protest, according to Reuters.

Islamabad has yet to respond. The strikes come amid strained ties, despite recent pledges by Pakistan, Afghanistan and China to boost counter-terrorism cooperation.

The United States is reviewing the involvement of Chinese nationals in managing sensitive cloud services for the military, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday. The move follows a ProPublica investigation revealing that Microsoft employed contractors in China and other countries to maintain Defense Department cloud systems, Al Jazeera reported.

Hegseth said a formal letter of concern has been sent to Microsoft, and a third-party audit of its digital escort program is underway to check for potential security breaches. He also directed software providers to end any Chinese involvement in Defense Department systems, calling the measure “common sense” for protecting national security.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will attend a military parade in Beijing on 3 September, China’s foreign ministry confirmed. The event marks the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan and the end of World War Two. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected, along with other world leaders, BBC reported.

China plans to showcase its latest military capabilities, including new aircraft, tanks, and anti-drone systems, marking the first full display of its modernized force structure. The 70-minute parade will be overseen by President Xi Jinping from Tiananmen Square and is likely to attract close attention from global analysts.

Heavy rainfall across China has caused over 16bn yuan ($2.24bn) in road damage, affecting 23 provinces and regions, the transport ministry said.

Since the flood season began on July 1, authorities have allocated 540m yuan for emergency repairs. Floods, landslides, earthquakes, and droughts led to 52.2bn yuan in economic losses in July alone, Reuters reported.

Struggling with high debt, local governments face mounting pressure to fund public services, support businesses, and create jobs amid growing climate risks.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that China must supply more magnets or face tariffs of up to 200 percent, highlighting the strategic importance of rare earth elements. China controls about 90 percent of the global magnet market, essential for products like semiconductor chips used in smartphones, according to Al Jazeera.

The remarks follow China’s April restrictions on rare earth exports in retaliation for US tariff hikes, even as exports surged in July. Trump recently extended a 90-day deadline on tariffs, allowing more time for negotiations, and the US also announced a 10 percent stake in Intel, a major chipmaker dependent on these materials.

China has urged the United States to stop undermining its cooperation with Latin America, dismissing Washington’s accusations of resource exploitation in the region, according to Xinhua.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that US remarks reflect a “Cold War mentality” and run counter to reality. He stressed that China’s partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean are based on mutual respect, equality, and shared benefit, contributing to local economic and social development.

Guo emphasized that the region is “no one’s backyard” and countries there have the right to choose their own partners. He called on Washington to end its interference and instead support Latin America’s development, Xinhua reported.