China acquires 68 Airbus jetliners suited for troop transport
The Chinese government awarded a huge contract to Airbus SAS worth an undisclosed price. The deal, which is a major snub to the U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing, includes the (more…)
Russia begins construction of warships for Vietnam
The Russian shipbuilding industry started foundation work for two Cheetah-class frigates for Vietnam on Sept. 24. While supplying large quantities of advanced weapons systems to China, Moscow has not (more…)
Turkey turns down U.S., buys Chinese missile defense system
ANKARA — Turkey, rejecting its NATO allies, has selected a ballistic missile defense system from China. The Defense Industry Executive Council approved a Chinese bid for the HQ-9 BMD (more…)
N. Korea bans its diplomats from having more than one child abroad
Effective at the end of September, North Korean diplomats serving abroad may be accompanied by only one child on their mission. North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong-Un issued the (more…)
Vietnam bans Chinese postal stamps that claim Paracel Island
The Hanoi government is incensed by China’s recent issuance of a set of postal stamps themed “the Beautiful China,” one of which depicts the Paracel Island as Chinese territory. (more…)
Tokyo threatens to down Chinese drones sent to Senkakus
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of Japan’s “nationalization” of the Senkaku island chain, China sent a military unmanned aerial vehicle to the Senkaku islands, which China calls (more…)
Chinese cruise ship detained in S. Korea upsets Beijing
A Chinese passenger cruise ship, the Henna, was detained in South Korea pending the resolution of a hostile legal dispute between the investors and the company that operates the (more…)
Tokyo, Manila make common cause due to China’s maritime demands
With weekly provocations from China against both the Philippines and Japan, Manila and Tokyo are more actively seeking a common response to Beijing’s challenges. Last week, such coalescence gained (more…)
Service restored to military hotline between two Koreas
A military hotline connecting military commands on either side of the DMZ was resumed on Sept. 6 after being disconnected unilaterally by Pyongyang 163 days earlier. On March 27, (more…)