https://www.voanews.com/z/600 asia https://www.voanews.com/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.voanews.com/z/600 en 2026 - VOA 60 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:13:47 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Relations between Russia and China are indeed closer than at any point since the 1950s, but they are shaped more by pragmatism, economic necessity and shared opposition to Western influence than by deep trust or historical affinity. https://www.voanews.com/a/russian-foreign-minister-exaggerates-russia-china-relations-ignores-nuances/8011464.html https://www.voanews.com/a/russian-foreign-minister-exaggerates-russia-china-relations-ignores-nuances/8011464.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:53:12 -0400 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) Washington — While some youth in China admit to spending an excessive amount of time on the internet, many are skeptical about new government proposals aimed at regulating the time young Chinese spend online and on social media sites. In conversations at China’s annual political meetings that wrapped up in Beijing this week, retired international basketball star Yao Ming, called for some limits on internet access for young people in China. Yao was advocating for a plan that would mandate... https://www.voanews.com/a/chinese-officials-look-to-limit-social-media-and-screen-time-in-china-/8010657.html https://www.voanews.com/a/chinese-officials-look-to-limit-social-media-and-screen-time-in-china-/8010657.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:10:21 -0400 China Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Katherine Michaelson, Kelly Tang) WASHINGTON — A second Iranian ship that Western news reports have named as part of a scheme to import a missile propellant ingredient from China is heading to Iran with a major cargo load, an exclusive VOA analysis has found. Ship-tracking websites show the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Jairan departed China on Monday, a month later than the expected departure cited by one of the news reports.The Jairan was named in January and February articles by The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal... https://www.voanews.com/a/exclusive-second-iranian-ship-suspected-of-carrying-missile-ingredient-leaves-china/8010476.html https://www.voanews.com/a/exclusive-second-iranian-ship-suspected-of-carrying-missile-ingredient-leaves-china/8010476.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:05:35 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Michael Lipin) Three revised regulations that dictate everything from the Chinese military’s broad mandate to soldiers’ day-to-day life are slated to take effect on April 1. The revisions have placed an emphasis on the PLA’s combat readiness and wartime conduct, the latter of which appears 49 times. Analysts say the revised regulations show the priority of the PLA’s future reform and its challenges. Click here for the full story in Mandarin. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-china-revises-pla-regulations-prioritizing-war-readiness-/8010375.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-china-revises-pla-regulations-prioritizing-war-readiness-/8010375.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:50:12 -0400 East Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Meng-Li Yang) CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC — Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations gathered Thursday in Charlevoix, Quebec, as host country Canada outlined its top agenda, focusing on achieving a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and strengthening security and defense partnerships as the G7 marks 50 years.During the opening remarks, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said, “Peace and stability is on the top of our agenda, and I look forward to discussing how we can continue to... https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-peace-global-security-top-g7-agenda-as-diplomats-convene-in-canada-/8010030.html https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-peace-global-security-top-g7-agenda-as-diplomats-convene-in-canada-/8010030.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:46:06 -0400 Ukrainewebdesk@voanews.com (Nike Ching) Western politicians have repeatedly called on China to limit or cease tacit support for Russia’s bloody war against Ukraine. In response, China’s leadership insists it is committed to peace and respect for the territorial integrity of other nations.But unlike most United Nations member states, China has never condemned Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and their military-diplomatic partnership — from joint bomber flights near the U.S. state of Alaska to votes in the U.N. Security... https://www.voanews.com/a/can-the-us-pry-russia-away-from-china/8009771.html https://www.voanews.com/a/can-the-us-pry-russia-away-from-china/8009771.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:26:15 -0400 USAwebdesk@voanews.com (Danila Galperovich) The state of Texas has the third-largest Asian American population in the United States, according to the U.S. census, and Chinese people, some whose families arrived more than 150 years ago, make up the largest group. Chinese Americans trace back for generations in the Lone Star State. Their story may not be as well known as that of their counterparts in California or New York City, but it is just as intertwined with America's history. At Rice University, the Houston Asian American... https://www.voanews.com/a/the-story-of-chinese-americans-who-call-texas-home/8008697.html https://www.voanews.com/a/the-story-of-chinese-americans-who-call-texas-home/8008697.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:39:17 -0400 USAwebdesk@voanews.com (Elizabeth Lee) TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that China has deepened its influence campaigns and infiltration against the democratic island, pledging measures to tackle Beijing's efforts to "absorb" Taiwan.Taiwan has accused China of stepping up military drills, trade sanctions and influence campaigns against the island in recent years to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty claims.Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with senior security... https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-president-warns-of-china-s-infiltration-effort-/8009149.html https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-president-warns-of-china-s-infiltration-effort-/8009149.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:03:43 -0400 Taiwanwebdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) BEIJING — China's embassy in New Zealand on Thursday accused Wellington's top spy of lying after the intelligence chief warned of security risks posed by Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific.In a speech in Wellington last week, New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service Director-General Andrew Hampton said the focus of Pacific nations on economic and transnational crime issues had opened the door for China to sign strategic deals with them that linked economic and... https://www.voanews.com/a/china-accuses-new-zealand-s-top-spy-of-spreading-false-information-/8009141.html https://www.voanews.com/a/china-accuses-new-zealand-s-top-spy-of-spreading-false-information-/8009141.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 04:23:41 -0400 China Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) TOKYO — Japan wants to boost its rice exports almost eightfold by 2030, a ministry official said Thursday, despite currently suffering a domestic shortage of the grain.The country's rice consumption has more than halved over the past 60 years as diets have expanded to include more bread, noodles and other energy sources.The new target is part of a long-term national policy to boost overseas shipments of the staple, and make farming it more efficient, especially as the ageing population... https://www.voanews.com/a/japan-eyes-boosting-rice-exports-eightfold-by-2030/8009122.html https://www.voanews.com/a/japan-eyes-boosting-rice-exports-eightfold-by-2030/8009122.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 03:04:32 -0400 East Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Agence France-Presse) WASHINGTON — The son of imprisoned pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai this week brought the campaign to secure his father’s release to the Trump administration in Washington.Nearly two months into President Donald Trump’s second term, Lai’s son Sebastien and their international legal team were in Washington this week to meet with Trump administration officials and lawmakers in hopes that the United States can help push for Lai’s release.Lai, a businessman and founder of the now-shuttered... https://www.voanews.com/a/advocates-for-jailed-publisher-lai-turn-to-trump-administration/8009044.html https://www.voanews.com/a/advocates-for-jailed-publisher-lai-turn-to-trump-administration/8009044.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:47:55 -0400 Press Freedomwebdesk@voanews.com (Liam Scott) China’s Commerce Ministry reportedly held talks with Walmart on Tuesday after the U.S. retail giant had requested a 10% price cut from its Chinese suppliers to offset U.S. tariff costs, state media CCTV said. The report added that the ministry is believed to have expressed concern over Walmart’s “unfair” practice, which it believes may create the risk of supply chain disruption and harm the interests of Chinese and American companies and American consumers.”Click here for the full story in... https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-china-walmart-discuss-response-to-us-tariffs/8008731.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-china-walmart-discuss-response-to-us-tariffs/8008731.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:16:48 -0400 East Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Joyce Huang) TAIPEI, TAIWAN — About 12.2 million college graduates are expected to enter China’s shrinking labor market this summer, Wang Xiaoping, minister of the Human Resources and Social Security Ministry told the country's National People's Congress Sunday. It is believed that the Chinese government will encourage young people to accept gig work or vocational trainings so as not to hike up the youth unemployment rate.Click here for the full story in Mandarin. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-about-12-million-graduates-to-join-china-s-shrinking-job-market/8008713.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-about-12-million-graduates-to-join-china-s-shrinking-job-market/8008713.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:50:52 -0400 East Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Nai-chuan Lin) TEHRAN, IRAN — China, Iran and Russia conducted joint naval drills Tuesday in the Middle East, offering a show of force in a region still uneasy over Tehran's rapidly expanding nuclear program and as Yemen's Houthi rebels threaten new attacks on ships.The joint drills, called the Maritime Security Belt 2025, took place in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes. The area around... https://www.voanews.com/a/china-iran-russia-hold-joint-naval-drills-in-middle-east/8008597.html https://www.voanews.com/a/china-iran-russia-hold-joint-naval-drills-in-middle-east/8008597.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:55:19 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press) THE HAGUE — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was turned over Wednesday to the custody of the International Criminal Court, following his arrest on a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office. The court said in a statement that "as a precautionary measure" medical assistance was made available at the airport for Duterte, in line with standard procedures when a suspect arrives. The 79-year-old former... https://www.voanews.com/a/philippine-ex-president-duterte-faces-charges-linked-to-war-on-drugs-/8008270.html https://www.voanews.com/a/philippine-ex-president-duterte-faces-charges-linked-to-war-on-drugs-/8008270.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:14:01 -0400 East Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press) HANOI, VIETNAM — Singapore and Vietnam on Wednesday agreed to enhance cooperation in subsea cables, finance, and energy, marking an upgrade in their relations to Vietnam's highest level, during a visit by its Communist Party Chief To Lam to the city-state.Singapore is the third Southeast Asian nation, after Malaysia and Indonesia, with which Vietnam has established a "comprehensive strategic relationship."In a joint statement released following the upgrade, Lam and... https://www.voanews.com/a/vietnam-singapore-agree-to-boost-ties-cooperation-on-subsea-cables/8007800.html https://www.voanews.com/a/vietnam-singapore-agree-to-boost-ties-cooperation-on-subsea-cables/8007800.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:32:09 -0400 East Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) NEW DELHI — Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception to its DeepSeek artificial intelligence platform in January, China's leaders are going all out to encourage AI companies to harness the power of this technology to compete with the United States and other countries in business and military spheres.China considers AI an important tool to handle U.S. restrictions on Chinese business, particularly after DeepSeek shook up Wall Street, resulting in a loss of $589 billion for Nvidia... https://www.voanews.com/a/china-boosting-development-of-ai-for-use-in-trade-war-with-us/8007739.html https://www.voanews.com/a/china-boosting-development-of-ai-for-use-in-trade-war-with-us/8007739.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:12:00 -0400 China Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Saibal Dasgupta) SYDNEY — Australia will not impose reciprocal tariffs on the United States, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump ruled out exemptions or exceptions for all countries on steel and aluminum tariffs.Trump said in February he would "give great consideration" to exempting Australia from the tariffs in view of the U.S. annual trade surplus with the country, following a phone call with Albanese.However, on Tuesday the White House announced that... https://www.voanews.com/a/australia-rules-out-reciprocal-move-on-us-after-trump-proceeds-with-steel-tariffs/8007723.html https://www.voanews.com/a/australia-rules-out-reciprocal-move-on-us-after-trump-proceeds-with-steel-tariffs/8007723.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:14:33 -0400 East Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed two bills involving China. One will restrict the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing batteries made by Chinese companies. The other will set up a working group in the Department of Homeland Security to monitor and respond to threats from China. The bills will now await consideration by the Senate.Click here for the full story in Mandarin. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-us-house-passes-bill-to-restrict-use-of-chinese-made-batteries-/8007296.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-us-house-passes-bill-to-restrict-use-of-chinese-made-batteries-/8007296.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:22:12 -0400 China Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Yihua Lee) China wrapped up its week-long National Party Congress meetings on Tuesday, where its nearly 3,000 representatives cast votes to pass a total of seven bills in half an hour. Analysts called China’s two sessions a rubber-stamp political gathering, where many dissidents have been placed on “forced holidays” outside of Beijing so that their voice would not be heard. One dissident told VOA he will be sent home one day after the NPC’s closure on Tuesday.Click here for the full story in Mandarin. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-as-china-npc-closes-dissidents-on-forced-holidays-to-be-sent-home-/8007291.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-as-china-npc-closes-dissidents-on-forced-holidays-to-be-sent-home-/8007291.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:19:09 -0400 China Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Joyce Huang)