US vetoes UN resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire and aid access

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unrestricted humanitarian aid access. The draft, backed by 14 of 15 members, also demanded the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas, according to Xinhua.

The US veto drew sharp criticism from other members. China accused Washington of undermining peace efforts. The UK slammed Israel's aid limitations and demanded impartial inquiries into civilian deaths. Algeria and Pakistan viewed the veto as a failure of international duty and a setback to global consensus.

The vote highlights growing frustration over the US’s repeated vetoes on Gaza-related resolutions. Xinhua reported.

China accuses US of violating trade deal, warns of retaliation

China has accused the United States of significantly breaking a recent trade agreement, threatening severe repercussions. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Washington undermined the Geneva agreement made in May, in which both countries promised to reduce tariffs — the US from 145 percent to 30 percent and China from 125 percent to 10 percent, Associated Press reported.

Beijing also blamed a breakdown in consensus during a January phone chat between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. It denounced previous US steps such as restricting chip design software, prohibiting the use of Huawei chips, and canceling student visas.

Meanwhile, President Trump accused China of violating the agreement. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer claimed Beijing failed to remove non-tariff barriers as promised, according to Associated Press.

Pentagon chief warns of imminent China threat, asks Asian allies to spend more on defence

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Saturday that the threat from China was real and potentially imminent as he pushed allies in the Indo-Pacific to spend more on their own defence needs, Reuters reported.

Hegseth, speaking for the first time at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats, underlined that the Indo-Pacific region was a priority for the Trump administration.

"There's no reason to sugar coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent," Hegseth said, in some of his strongest comments on the Communist nation since he took office in January. He added that any attempt by China to conquer Taiwan "would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world", and echoed Trump's comment that China will not invade Taiwan on the president's watch.

China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to "reunify" with the democratic and separately governed island, by force if necessary. It has stepped up military and political pressure to assert those claims, including increasing the intensity of war games around Taiwan, according to Reuters.

EU backs stronger defence ties amid China-Russia threats

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe is boosting defence spending following pressure from the Trump administration, calling it “tough love.”

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Kallas supported US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for allies to invest more in defence, noting EU unity on security, Xinhua reported.

She connected European and Indo-Pacific security, warning about China's economic power and military ties with Russia and North Korea.

Kallas recommended further cooperation with the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and others to combat common threats. Hegseth credited US President Trump for pushing Europe to “step up”, according to Xinhua.

Trump says China violated trade agreement with US

US President Donald Trump has accused China of violating a recent agreement to ease tariffs and trade restrictions on critical minerals. The deal, made during May talks in Geneva, included a 90-day pause on tariffs.

Trump said on Truth Social that China had "totally violated" the agreement, but provided no details. He said his tariffs of up to 145 percent had severely impacted China’s economy, according to Reuters.

Trump later told reporters that he planned to contact with Chinese President Xi Jinping to address the matter. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller warned that China's noncompliance could trigger US action.

China's embassy said it is still in contact with the US, but expressed concern over new US export limits and urged Washington to follow the Geneva agreement, Reuters reported.

China launches Tianwen-2 asteroid sample mission

China successfully launched its Tianwen-2 spacecraft early Wednesday, marking its first mission to collect asteroid samples. The probe lifted off at 1:31 a.m. local time aboard a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Xinhua reported.

Tianwen-2 is headed to Kamoʻoalewa, a near-Earth asteroid about 10 million miles away. It is expected to arrive by July 2026, collect samples, and return them to Earth in November 2027.

Kamoʻoalewa, a small quasi-satellite of Earth, is estimated to be 40 to 100 meters in size. If successful, China will become the third country to return asteroid samples, after Japan and the US, according to Xinhua.

The mission reflects China’s expanding space program and long-term goal of crewed lunar exploration.

Trump administration to 'aggressively' revoke visas of Chinese students

The Trump administration will begin revoking visas of Chinese students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in sensitive academic fields, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.

Visa criteria will also be revised to increase scrutiny of future applicants from China and Hong Kong. US embassies have been instructed to suspend student visa appointments as expanded social media vetting is implemented, according to BBC.

Last year, around 280,000 Chinese students enrolled in US colleges. Their numbers have dropped due to strained US-China relations and tighter immigration policies.

The administration has already canceled thousands of student visas and halted funding at numerous universities. Many international students are now expressing concern and regret about studying in the United States under these new restrictions, BBC reported.

 

ASEAN, GCC, and China pledge stronger economic cooperation

ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China conducted their first trilateral meeting in Malaysia, where they agreed to boost economic ties and promote free trade.

In a joint statement, the three countries pledged to complete the GCC-China Free Trade Agreement and upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area to benefit their respective populations, according to Al Jazeera.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the combined GDP of the three blocs is $24.87trn, with a population of 2.15bn, offering vast potential for investment and innovation. He stressed ASEAN’s commitment to balanced ties with all major powers, including the US.

Experts noted the meeting highlighted China’s growing role as a global power, particularly in forums where the US is absent, Al Jazeera reported.

 

North Korea and China criticize US “Golden Dome” missile

North Korea has strongly condemned the United States' planned "Golden Dome" missile defense system, claiming it is a step toward the militarization of space. The system, revealed by US President Donald Trump, is designed to guard against advanced ballistic and cruise missile threats.

Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, released a statement through its foreign ministry warning that the plan might spark a nuclear and space weapons race. China's foreign ministry in Beijing also slammed the idea, claiming it jeopardizes global strategic stability, BBC reported.

Analysts in Seoul say the system could undermine North Korea’s deterrence. Initial funding is $25bn, with long-term costs expected to rise.

China accuses Taiwan of cyberattack on tech company

Chinese authorities in Guangzhou have accused Taiwan’s government of supporting a cyberattack on a local technology company. In a statement released Tuesday, officials claimed a foreign hacker group, backed by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was behind the attack, Reuters reported.

The accusation is based on an initial police investigation. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has not yet responded to the allegations

China, Kuwait to deepen cooperation in key sectors

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday expressed China’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Kuwait in areas such as energy, investment, green economy, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He made the remarks during a meeting with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, according to Xinhua.

The meeting took place as Premier Li arrived in Kuala Lumpur to attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.

 

Chad inaugurates China-Donated Olympic Stadium

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on Friday inaugurated the Marshal Idriss Deby Itno Olympic Stadium, a 30,000-seat facility in the capital, constructed and donated by China.

China's Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group built the country's largest stadium, which was officially handed over to Chad on May 12. President Deby commended the initiative as a symbol of strong Sino-Chadian collaboration, founded on mutual respect and common vision, as reported by Xinhua.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Xining described the stadium as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations, expressing hope it will boost Chad’s presence on the international sports stage.

Chinese Premier arrives in Jakarta for official visit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Jakarta on Saturday for an official visit to Indonesia at President Prabowo Subianto's invitation.

Following his visit to Indonesia, Premier Li is scheduled to travel to Malaysia, where he will attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur from May 26 to 28, Xinhua reported.

China launches Lijian-1 Y7 rocket with six satellites

China launched the Lijian-1 Y7 carrier rocket on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. Beijing Time. The launch took place in Dongfeng's commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China.

The rocket carried six satellites, which were successfully put in their allotted orbits. This mission is the sixth in the Lijian-1 rocket series, Xinhua reported.

China rejects US accusations on South China Sea at UN

China’s UN envoy Geng Shuang rejected US accusations over the South China Sea during a Security Council debate, calling the US the “biggest threat” to regional peace.

Responding to US Representative Dorothy Shea, Geng stated that the Council is not the appropriate forum for the issue and accused the US of inciting tensions by sending military vessels under the guise of "freedom of navigation", Xinhua reported.

He reaffirmed China's rejection of the 2016 arbitration ruling and emphasized that collaboration with ASEAN members helps to maintain regional peace. Geng also asked the United States to respect the one-China principle. He emphasized China's commitment to peaceful dialogue and international maritime cooperation.

Russia-China Forum kicks off in Russia's Khabarovsk

The Russia-China Forum began Monday in Khabarovsk, gathering over 3,000 participants to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Dmitry Demeshin, Governor of Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory, highlighted growing collaboration with China in industry, energy, and transportation, describing it as a “bridge of trust and shared prosperity”, Xinhua reported.

Chinese Consul General Jiang Xiaoyang noted Khabarovsk’s key role in regional cooperation.

The forum includes talks on joint projects, such as the development of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, and aims to expand trade, investment, and business ties between the two nations, according to Xinhua.