Defence

Japan and Philippines harden stance against China amid US-China detente

As Washington softens its tone on Beijing, Japan and the Philippines are tightening defence ties to counter China, forging a potent middle-power coalition in Asian waters. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.

Han Yong Hong

05 Jun 2026

[Big read] ​After Xi-Trump summit, a jittery Taiwan takes stock

Soon after the US-China summit in Beijing, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stressed that peace in the Taiwan Strait would not be sacrificed or traded away, and called for Taiwan to bolster its national strength and cooperate closely with Taiwan’s global democratic partners. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks with academics and analyses the situation.

Miao Zong-Han

04 Jun 2026

Chan Chun Sing: Not pro- or anti-China or the US, ‘We are pro-ASEAN’

At his remarks in the panel discussion at Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 and after-event media interviews, Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing stressed “action and communication” as key to building defence trust, urged ASEAN unity and vigilance, gave his views on Chinese representation and reaffirmed a “pro-ASEAN” stance amid China-US rivalry. Lianhe Zaobao’s Tan Ke-Yang and Daryl Lim report.

Tan Ke-Yang, Daryl Lim

02 Jun 2026

[Video] Hegseth at Shangri-La Dialogue: Toning down US rhetoric

At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth seemed to tone down criticisms of China. Does this mean a more pragmatic, prudent approach going forward? Lianhe Zaobao China news correspondent Edwin Ong speaks to experts for their take.

Edwin Ong

02 Jun 2026

Trump-Xi summit leaves Taiwan independence camp on edge

Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is reeling after US President Donald Trump, following his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, bluntly warned against any push for independence. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang notes that this signals a potential shift in US policy, forcing Taipei to urgently redefine its cross-strait strategy.

Chuang Hui Liang

19 May 2026

China is arming the Global South — and expanding its influence

China has turned its defence industry into a formidable exporter, reshaping security across the Global South. As researcher Tahir Mahmood Azad argues, its weapons come bundled with ties that draw states into Beijing’s strategic orbit.

Tahir Mahmood Azad

05 May 2026

How civilisational politics fuels today’s wars

Academic Ma Haiyun traces the history of civilisational conflict narratives in Western strategic thinking, built on Jewish intellectual foundations, long before the rise of Samuel P. Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Such approaches have had a profound effect on influencing the US’s behaviour in the Middle East and spillover effects in the region.

Ma Haiyun

22 Apr 2026

Why China’s firepower fails to translate into sales

Is China poised to capture a greater share of the rapidly expanding global arms market? Academic Ghulam Ali looks into China’s arms export policy, the quantity and quality of its previously exported arms, and the challenges associated with expanding arms trade to evaluate this.

Ghulam Ali

13 Apr 2026

Control the oil, shape the world: Trump’s disruptive diplomacy and the risks for Taiwan

More than a year into his presidency, US President Donald Trump has played a disruptor role, leaving his mark on every aspect of diplomacy, from military strategy to economic tariffs. A lot of this has to do with Trump’s personality and style. What impact does this have on the Taiwan Strait issues? Academic Ying-yu Lin gives an analysis.

Ying-yu Lin

08 Apr 2026

The illusion of independent AI: How the US and China control the machines

The clash over Anthropic reveals a deeper reality: frontier AI is inseparable from state power. While Washington reacts and Beijing plans, both are tightening control, driving a split into rival AI ecosystems. SMU academic Liang Chen shares his analysis.

Liang Chen

26 Mar 2026

Planes, missiles, submarines: Southeast Asia’s quiet arms race?

A slew of arms procurement deals in Southeast Asia has raised eyebrows on whether the region is engaged in an arms race. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Claudia Liao finds out from academics that these military upgrades may have more to do with prestige than capability.

Claudia Liao

25 Mar 2026

[Big read] Not just nukes: Why the US won’t strike North Korea

The Iran war has sharpened Pyongyang’s sense of insecurity and bolstered its nuclear programme. Beyond weapons, any US strike risks confrontation with China and Russia and the prospect of global escalation. Journalist Kang Gwiyoung reports from South Korea.

Kang Gwiyoung

25 Mar 2026