China’s rise speeds U.S. action to lift ban on arms sales to Vietnam
On the eve of President Obama’s visit to Vietnam, the U.S. government is inching closer to lifting a decades-old ban on arms sales and shipment to Vietnam. (FULL STORY) (more…)
Tit for tat: China blocks U.S. aircraft carrier’s port call in Hong Kong
Bilateral military tensions spiked this week after China unceremoniously denied an American request to allow the USS John Stennis, and its four accompanying warships to make a port call (more…)
Japan FM visits China on mission to salvage bilateral relations
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Beijing on April 29 for the first Japanese high-level visit in at least 4 years, and was granted a rare red-carpet treatment (more…)
Killing of minister in China believed to be N. Korean assassination
A Chinese citizen, who is ethnic Korean, was found dead in a rural area inside China, and South Korea intelligence officials believe he was assassinated by a North Korean (more…)
Japan blames China for loss of geostrategic sub deal to France
Australia’s decision to abandon what seemed to be a done deal with Japan for the acquisition of advanced diesel electric submarines worth close to $40 billion has stunned the (more…)
Japan punishes Taiwan for fishing boat caught in disputed waters
A Taiwanese fishing vessel was detained by the Japanese maritime authorities last week. The Japanese ordered the vessel’s owner to pay a stiff fine before it could be released. (more…)
North Korea’s sub-launched missile test could be a game changer
The April 23 submarine launched missile [SLBM] test conducted by Pyongyang could pose a serious threat to regional and American security, defense experts believe. (FULL STORY) (more…)
U.S. confronts China expansion with joint Philippines sea patrol
The United States military has begun a joint naval patrol with the armed forces of the Philippines in the South China Sea, confirmed U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. (more…)
Australia’s new pro-China leader seen reversing Japan sub deal
In a major blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ambitious plan to enter the world’s lucrative arms market, Australia has sent clear signal to Tokyo that the previously thought (more…)