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Beijing accuses Pacific forum host Palau of 'hype' over its missile test

Beijing accuses Pacific forum host Palau of 'hype' over its missile test

By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Beijing has accused Palau of "hype" over its Pacific missile test, after the host of the regional Pacific Islands Forum on Thursday urged the group to condemn China's launch, on the final day of a summit dominated by a dispute between Beijing and Taiwan. 
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Chinese Police Accused of Transnational Repression Against Striking Workers in Sydney, Utilizing WeChat for Monitoring

Chinese Police Accused of Transnational Repression Against Striking Workers in Sydney, Utilizing WeChat for Monitoring

Chinese police are alleged to have intervened in a planned strike by Chinese food delivery workers in Sydney, Australia. Several workers for HungryPanda, a Chinese-owned food delivery platform, reported receiving calls from Chinese police warning them against participating in the strike and threatening arrest if they returned to China. One worker stated his family in China was summoned for questioning. The workers had been organizing industrial action in a WeChat group due to dissatisfaction with pay cuts and lack of transparency in earnings. They believe that continuing to use Chinese mobile phone numbers registered under their real names while in Australia, combined with WeChat's legal obligation to comply with Chinese government requests, allowed authorities to identify and monitor them. Australian federal sources noted the difficulty in determining if Chinese police acted to assist the company or intervened independently after monitoring the WeChat group. This incident highlights growing international ...
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U.S. Defense Trio Partners with Taiwan to Develop China-Free Drone Supply Chain

U.S. Defense Trio Partners with Taiwan to Develop China-Free Drone Supply Chain

A collaboration between Aerkomm Inc., Foxconn-linked GTOC Tactical Technology, and San Diego's Firestorm Labs aims to establish a 'non-red,' China-free drone supply chain in Taiwan. This initiative follows an incident on January 17, 2026, where a Chinese WZ-7 'Soaring Dragon' drone entered Taiwan-controlled airspace, highlighting a gap in Taiwan's air defense capabilities. The partnership seeks to build local capacity for rapid drone production, integrating Firestorm's 3D-printing technology with Taiwanese manufacturing. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has emphasized that all government drone production and procurement, both military and civilian, should adhere to a fully 'non-red' supply chain due to geopolitical and cybersecurity concerns. Taiwan plans to invest NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) over five years to expand its domestic UAV sector, with a goal of producing 180,000 units annually by 2028, free of Chinese components. This push is driven by the need for deterrence and 'peace through strength' ami...
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Vietnam's globetrotter leader to visit Russia, France, US this month, sources say

Vietnam's globetrotter leader to visit Russia, France, US this month, sources say

By Francesco Guarascio HANOI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Vietnam's leader To Lam is planning to visit Russia, France, the United States and Canada this month, several people familiar with the plans said, as the Communist-ruled country seeks to deepen ties with major partners to combat trade uncertainty 
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New Zealand and Australia Strengthen Economic Ties at CER Ministerial Meeting

New Zealand and Australia Strengthen Economic Ties at CER Ministerial Meeting

New Zealand and Australia Strengthen Economic Ties at CER Ministerial Meeting
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Taiwan Expresses Alarm Over Escalating Chinese Military Drills, Risk of Accidental Conflict

Taiwan Expresses Alarm Over Escalating Chinese Military Drills, Risk of Accidental Conflict

Taiwan's Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has voiced significant concern that the increased frequency and intensity of Chinese military activities around the island could lead to an accidental incident sparking a broader conflict. Over the past two weeks, Taiwan has detected dozens of Chinese fighters, drones, bombers, warships, and the aircraft carrier Shandong operating in its vicinity. Warships from China's southern and eastern theater commands have been conducting joint operations off Taiwan's east coast, with the Shandong acting as an 'opposing force' and China's Eastern Theatre Command forces simulating an 'attacking force' in battle scenarios. This heightened activity, which China has not commented on, has led Taiwan to worry about the situation 'getting out of hand' due to the increased risks associated with frequent operations involving aircraft, ships, and weapons.
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Australia, US commit $580 million to support Pacific Island nations

Australia, US commit $580 million to support Pacific Island nations

By Alasdair Pal and Kanishka Singh SYDNEY/WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Australia and the United States on Wednesday announced a combined $580 million in funding for the Pacific Islands as they battle China for influence in the region.
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Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Stormy weather can send the Pacific Ocean flooding into people's homes in small, remote island nations
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Taiwan Modernizes Military with Unmanned Systems Amidst U.S. Semiconductor Trade Investigations with China

Taiwan Modernizes Military with Unmanned Systems Amidst U.S. Semiconductor Trade Investigations with China

Taiwan is actively modernizing its military by integrating unmanned systems and precision artillery, drawing critical lessons from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities against a potential invasion by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This strategic shift aims to enhance Taiwan's ability to deter and respond to military threats. Concurrently, the United States is intensifying its enforcement of export controls against China, specifically investigating companies involved in illicit semiconductor trade. This highlights the persistent technological and economic competition between the two global powers. China, for its part, continues to exert significant military and 'grey-zone' pressure on Taiwan through aerial incursions and maritime patrols. Internally, China is also conducting purges within the PLA, reportedly to consolidate President Xi Jinping's power and ensure loyalty. These developments underscore a complex and evolving security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region, wi...
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Exclusive-Lynas Rare Earths says it was in takeover talks earlier this year

Exclusive-Lynas Rare Earths says it was in takeover talks earlier this year

By Melanie Burton MELBOURNE, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Australia's Lynas Rare Earths, the world's largest producer of rare earths outside China, was in takeover talks earlier this year but the discussions did not proceed, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. 
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Taiwan Conducts Extensive Military Drills, Emphasizing Asymmetric Warfare Against Potential Chinese Invasion

Taiwan Conducts Extensive Military Drills, Emphasizing Asymmetric Warfare Against Potential Chinese Invasion

Taiwan recently concluded its annual Han Kuang military exercise, which showcased a significant shift towards asymmetric warfare tactics in preparation for a potential invasion from mainland China. The drills, which spanned 10 days, moved from coastal defenses to urban combat scenarios within Taipei, including simulated skirmishes in city streets and counter-sabotage operations at critical infrastructure like oil refineries. Taiwanese forces practiced ambush tactics, dispersed operations, and the use of barricades to create 'kill boxes' in urban intersections. The exercises also focused on maintaining operational capabilities under disrupted communications, with junior commanders practicing 'back briefs' to ensure mission understanding. Notably, the drills included the deployment of M1A2T Abrams tanks for ambushes on highways and the use of military police taking the subway to regroup and establish temporary headquarters. The Taiwanese defense ministry remained largely quiet on specific operational details...
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Denmark sends conscripts to Greenland as Arctic tensions grow

Denmark sends conscripts to Greenland as Arctic tensions grow

KANGERLUSSUAQ, Greenland, Sept 2 (Reuters) - For the first time in recent history, Danish conscripts have been deployed to Greenland, as Denmark moves to bolster its presence in the Arctic after U.S. demands to acquire the territory. U.S.