Politics
As Tokyo revises its landmark Three Security Documents, the real story lies beyond nuclear policy. Japan is reshaping its defence strategy to confront China’s rise, shifting US expectations and new forms of warfare. Japanese academic Shin Kawashima gives his analysis.
Shin Kawashima
06 Jul 2026
Politics
The Taiwan trigger that could break Trump’s China truce
Chinese and American experts agree that US-China ties have stabilised under Donald Trump, but warn the calm may prove temporary. Taiwan, economic decoupling and America’s political cycle could determine whether the fragile truce survives beyond Trump’s presidency. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei reports from Beijing.
Sim Tze Wei
06 Jul 2026
Politics
Top tigers fall in Xi’s endless purge
A fresh wave of high-level investigations suggests Beijing’s anti-corruption drive is no longer a periodic campaign but an enduring mechanism for strengthening party discipline and political control. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong analyses China’s efforts.
Han Yong Hong
03 Jul 2026
Politics
China’s military purge is reaching the heart of Xi’s reformed PLA
China’s military purge has widened with six senior PLA officers removed from the National People’s Congress, signalling that the anti-corruption campaign is still expanding. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei reports on the crackdown’s reach and implications.
Sim Tze Wei
01 Jul 2026
Politics
Why ASEAN is engaging Putin while the G7 looks away
The Kazan summit highlighted Russia’s emergence as a useful partner for ASEAN and exposed the limits of Western efforts to isolate Moscow in an increasingly multipolar international order. Researcher Ronny P Sasmita examines the situation.
Ronny P Sasmita
30 Jun 2026
Politics
How Turkey arms China’s rivals without angering Beijing
Just as it balanced its role supplying combat drones to Ukraine while deepening trade relations with Russia, Turkey is playing a similar game by advancing arms sales in the Indo-Pacific while staying out of China’s way. Italian commentator Emanuele Scimia gives his analysis.
Emanuele Scimia
29 Jun 2026
Politics
Why the Pacific is filling with warships: China, RIMPAC and a new military contest
As the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise kicks off and China’s Liaoning wraps up its drills, the Western Pacific is witnessing a strategic shift from simple carrier standoffs to a complex battle of military systems. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks with analysts to find out more.
Miao Zong-Han
25 Jun 2026
Politics
Are China-Philippines tensions sinking the South China Sea Code of Conduct?
Recent remarks by the Philippines suggesting that China may be a stumbling block to the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) drew a harsh response from the latter. Why are these tensions resurfacing now, and what real impact does it have on the negotiations on the COC? Researcher Chau Do gives her take.
Chau Do
23 Jun 2026
Politics
High quality, high anxiety: Southeast Asia’s BRI paradox
An online survey by ISEAS on perceptions of Chinese-built infrastructure in Southeast Asia reflects both the tangible benefits of these projects and broader considerations shaping regional views of China as an infrastructure development partner. ISEAS academics Eugene RL Tan and Hoang Thi Ha explain.
Eugene RL Tan, Hoang Thi Ha
22 Jun 2026
