Asianet Newsable

Viral Video: 7 dogs Escape Traders, Walk 17 Km Home in Heartwarming Clip (WATCH)

Gargi Chaudhry — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:23:53 +0530

Seven abducted rural dogs were discovered travelling together along a main highway in northeastern China after fleeing suspected dog meat dealers. They embarked on a 17-kilometer trip back to their hometown, as captured in a moving video that has gone popular on social media.

Lu, a Chinese citizen, captured video of a pack of dogs marching in formation along a roadway in Changchun, Jilin province, on March 16, according to the South China Morning Post. Lu first saw them on the highway, which was around 17 km from their village.

The footage showed the dogs approaching slowly, with some keeping close to an injured German shepherd. A Corgi looked to lead the group, often turning back to check on the others. Lu told the Chinese publication Dahe Daily: "They resemble a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison - nothing like stray dogs."

According to Lu, he attempted several times to direct the dogs away from traffic and into safety, but they would not respond. After posting a video of the dogs on China's social networking platform Douyin, he urged local authorities to intervene.

Watch Video

Seven dogs stolen from their owners have gone viral after escaping from an illegal transport truck and making their way home.They traveled around 17 km together, led by a corgi across highways and fields, now safely back with their respective owners..❤️ pic.twitter.com/H5VB9BQkGB

— o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) March 23, 2026

Volunteers from a local rescue organization, the Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base, eventually recognised the dogs as being from the same town, where they were known to wander freely and build tight ties over time. Following the complaints, the organization organised a rescue mission, sent volunteers, and employed a drone to find the dogs and safely escort them back home.

According to the South China Morning Post, one of the volunteers said that the animals were stolen by persons associated with a dog meat industry and might have escaped while being transported. However, no one has independently confirmed how the dogs ended up on the roadway.

On March 19, a volunteer notified Jimu News that all seven dogs were safely returned and were reunited with their owners. One of the owners expressed relief that his missing German shepherd and Golden Retriever had been returned, noting that they were fortunate to have avoided such a destiny. Another owner described her Corgi as exceptionally clever and known for finding its way home.

What Is The Nuclear Missile Pakistan Is Developing That The US Has Warned About?

Divya Danu — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:33:27 +0530

The United States has raised fresh concerns over the rapid development of long-range missile systems by several countries, including Pakistan and China. Speaking before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Tulsi Gabbard said that both nations are working on advanced ballistic missile technology that could one day target the United States. Her remarks came during the presentation of the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment report, which reviews major global risks to US national security.

Multiple countries expanding missile capabilities

The report highlights that several countries are developing powerful missile systems. These include Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan. According to Gabbard, these nations are working on both conventional and nuclear-capable missiles. Many of these systems are designed to travel long distances and avoid defence systems.

She warned that the number of missiles capable of threatening the US could rise sharply in the coming years.

North Korea already capable of reaching US

Among these countries, North Korea already has missiles that can reach American territory. Gabbard said that Pyongyang is committed to expanding its nuclear weapons programme. She also pointed to closer ties between North Korea, Russia and China.

Experts believe this growing cooperation could make it harder for the US to control global security risks.

Pakistan’s potential ICBM development

One of the key concerns raised in the report is Pakistan’s possible move towards developing Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). An ICBM is a missile that can travel more than 5,500 kilometres and carry nuclear warheads across continents.

At present, Pakistan does not have a tested ICBM. However, Gabbard warned that if its current efforts continue, it may develop such a system in the future. This would mark a major shift in Pakistan’s defence strategy, which has mostly focused on regional threats.

How far is the US from Pakistan

The distance between Pakistan and the US is around 10,000 kilometres. To reach that far, Pakistan would need to significantly improve its missile range and propulsion systems.

At present, only a few countries, such as Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom, have missiles capable of covering such long distances.

This shows how big a technological leap Pakistan would need to make.

Evidence of ongoing development

US officials believe Pakistan is working on larger rocket motors, which are key for building long-range missiles. Satellite images studied by the International Institute for Strategic Studies suggest that Pakistan has built a large testing facility at its National Defence Complex in Attock.

This facility is believed to be used for testing powerful rocket motors that could support future missile development.

Past US warnings and sanctions

This is not the first time the US has raised concerns about Pakistan’s missile programme. In recent years, American officials have warned that Pakistan’s technology is becoming more advanced.

In 2024, the US imposed sanctions on a Pakistani company and several Chinese firms for allegedly helping develop missile systems. Officials also pointed to the role of a Chinese research institute in supporting Pakistan’s programme.

Despite these concerns, Pakistan has maintained that its weapons are meant only for defence.

Pakistan’s current missile arsenal

Pakistan’s current missile systems are mostly short-range and medium-range. One of its most powerful missiles is the Shaheen-III, which has a range of about 2,750 kilometres. It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.

Another important system is the Ababeel missile. It has a range of around 2,200 kilometres and uses MIRV technology. MIRV allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads that can hit different targets at the same time.

These systems are mainly designed with regional security in mind, especially in relation to India.

Why the US is concerned

The US believes that if Pakistan develops an ICBM, it could expand its reach beyond South Asia. This would mean the country could target areas far outside its current focus.

Some experts suggest that Pakistan’s aim may not be to target the US directly, but to act as a deterrent.

By developing long-range missiles, Pakistan could try to prevent the US from intervening in any future conflict.

Comparison with India's missile programme

Pakistan has often compared its capabilities with those of India. India’s longest-range missile, Agni-V, can travel more than 5,000 kilometres. This allows it to reach parts of Europe and northern China.

However, currently it cannot reach the US mainland. This is one reason why Washington does not see India’s missile programme as a direct threat.

Iran threat assessment differs

Gabbard also made comments about Iran. She said US strikes last year had disrupted Iran’s nuclear programme. According to her, Iran has not tried to rebuild it since then.

This statement was different from the views expressed by Donald Trump, who has argued that strong military action is still needed. Her remarks drew criticism from lawmakers, including Senator John Ossoff, who said it was important to clearly define the threat to the US.

Global risks likely to increase

The report also warned that even if major powers avoid direct war, smaller countries may still use force to achieve their goals. It mentioned that countries like Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, Turkey and the UAE are using proxy forces to influence regional conflicts.

This trend could make global security more unstable in the coming years.

A shifting security landscape

The 2026 threat report shows that the world is entering a more complex and risky phase. Missile technology is advancing quickly, and more countries are gaining access to powerful weapons.

For the US, this means dealing with multiple threats at the same time. For countries like Pakistan, it raises questions about future defence strategies and global responsibilities.

While Pakistan does not yet have the capability to strike the US with an ICBM, the concerns raised by the US highlight the fast-changing nature of global security. As technology improves and tensions rise, the risk of long-range missile threats could grow.

Experts say careful diplomacy and strong international cooperation will be key to avoiding future conflicts.

Viral Post: Puppy Goes to Kindergarten in China—Fees ₹1.6 Lakh, Internet Shocked

Gargi Chaudhry — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:53:39 +0530

A lady in China has gone viral after spending 12,000 yuan (approximately Rs 1.6 lakh) to register her six-month-old Samoyed in a dog school for training due to her hectic schedule. The lady selected a package that includes testing, behaviour training, social events, and even a school bus for pick-up and drop-off.

The woman, known by the moniker Taotao, is from the 1990s generation and lives in Shanghai, according to MoneyControl report. She stated that owing to her hectic schedule and limited time, she enrolled her six-month-old Samoyed in a dog kindergarten for training. "I am usually too busy with work and do not have much time to keep it company," Taotao told Cover News.

The service costs 12,000 yuan a month (roughly Rs 1.58 lakh), according to Taotao, and includes daily boarding at 188 yuan, 368 yuan for parent-child sessions, and a school bus pickup and drop-off service, with meals being charged separately.

The facility also offers a comprehensive service that includes personality assessment, behavioural training, daily cleaning, health check-ups, and pet socialisation. Pet owners can watch their animals in real time online, and a Shanghai-based creator called Chen claimed such services are in great demand, with registration taking two to three weeks.

While the facility maintains between 20 to 30 dogs during the off-season, numbers exceed 100 during peak demand periods like as the Chinese New Year.

How Did Social Media React?

One user asked, “How much do you have to earn to cover your pet's tuition? They must be quite well-off.” Another person said, "Some people would be enraged viewing this. They would not even invest 12,000 yuan every semester in their own child's kindergarten."

A third commenter commented, “I once witnessed a pet owner in Shenzhen spending 5,500 yuan (US$800) per month merely to hire someone to walk their dog, and I was stunned. Poverty severely restricts my imagination.”

Why Latin America Is Becoming the ‘New Great Game’ Between the US and China

Asianet Newsable English — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:26:28 +0530

By Dr Aparaajita Pandey: As the US enters Ecuador, it has become clear since the beginning of this year that the world is going to see more US presence in Latin America than it has seen in the past decades. Latin American countries are gearing up for an eventual overwhelming presence of the US politically and praying that the interference does not evolve into a military intervention. This sort of American belligerence is not new for the region, however, it is important to study its components to speculate on its possible evolution with some accuracy.

The US looked at Latin America after independence and decided that it was theirs for the taking, calling it their ‘Backyard’ and consolidating that notion with the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, the US has essentially never let go of the idea of a Latin American region that was devoid of the US’ intervention. The use of this term has fallen in and out of favour in Washington depending on who was in the white house and how they wanted themselves portrayed to keep their approval ratings up; however, in policy US has never left Latin America alone, intervening politically, gaining economic favour, effecting regime change , and also putting their men on the ground.

In the recent past however, US seemed too engrossed with their domestic priorities and other engagements around the world. the complacency of their constant dominance in the Latin American continent resulted in the diminishing of their constant presence. This vacuum was exploited by China before the US realised how much ground they had lost.

The Latin American region has invited contestation between US and the other formidable power of the era. The Spanish towards the end of colonisation, the Russians during the Cold War and more recently the Chinese. For all the US’ rhetoric about Backyard, and the Americas being a cohesive unit; US has had to constantly compete for supremacy not with the countries from the region, but with powers from the old world.

The outcome is the beginning of a new ‘Great Game’ in Latin America, one that echoes earlier imperial rivalries but is contested through trade, infrastructure, finance, and technology rather than absolute takeover. Here, the United States seeks to sustain hemispheric supremacy, while China is increasingly growing its economic and political presence.

The Persistence of the American Backyard

The intellectual footing of US strategy in Latin America goes back to the Monroe Doctrine, which cautioned powers against interference in the Western Hemisphere. Although initially outlined as a defensive principle, the doctrine quickly progressed into a explanation for US intervention across the region. By the early twentieth century, the Roosevelt Corollary had successfully converted the doctrine into an authorisation for intervention.

Throughout the twentieth century, the US continually acted to maintain its hemispheric sphere of influence. From the overthrowing governments in Guatemala (1954) and Chile (1973) to military interventions in Grenada and Panama, the United States demonstrated its inclination to direct political results in Latin America when it perceived its strategic interests to be at stake.

The Cold War furthered this approach. Latin America turned into a battlefield for the global ideological race between capitalism and communism, and Washington worked ruthlessly to inhibit the rise of Soviet-aligned governments in the region. The Cuban Revolution of 1959, and the successive missile crisis, bolstered the belief in the Capitol that rival powers could not be permitted a to have a strategic foothold in their backyard.

China’s Quiet Entry into the Hemisphere

In the recent past, Beijing has exponentially expanded its presence across Latin America, transmuting the region into an arena of global economic competition.

China is one of the largest trading partners for numerous Latin American nations, including Brazil, Chile, and Peru. Chinese investment has flooded the energy, mining, agriculture, telecommunications, and infrastructure sectors the region. Since the early 2000s, Chinese policy banks and state-owned enterprises have funded projects worth billions of dollars in Latin America.

China has taken a primarily geoeconomic approach to finding its footing in the region, unlike previous powers that focused on military alliances. Infrastructure projects became a part of the Belt and Road Initiative, investments in strategic minerals such as lithium and copper, and sponsoring of energy projects have forged deep economic ties between China and Latin American countries.

This expanding presence has geopolitical implications. For most of the twentieth century, Latin American economies were overwhelmingly incorporated with the US. China’s rise has helped Latin America find an alternative economic partner; thereby also allowing itself to have greater, greater strategic autonomy.

Latin America as a Proxy Theatre of Competition

From the USs perspective, China’s expanding influence in Latin America raises worrying strategic concerns. U.S. views Chinese infrastructure projects, telecommunications networks, and port investments through a threat perception lens. Economic cooperation presented by Beijing starts to look like a subtle takeover from the US’ perspective.

This perception has supported a revival of hemispheric strategy in U.S. policy. US has sought to improve economic ties with regional partners, expand security cooperation, and offset Chinese investment in critical infrastructure and technology sectors. Minerals, ports, telecommunication, critical infrastructure, and diplomatic ties; US sees all these as sectors infiltrated into and then dominated by China.

Historical Echoes of the Great Game

This emerging contest has parallels in history. In the nineteenth century, Britain and Russia were the players of the proverbial ‘Great Game’ for influence across Central Asia. Both powers sought to control buffer zones and peripheral regions to protect their strategic interests.

The United States and China in Latin America follow a similar pattern. The US views the hemisphere as their domain and its role is to act like a strategic buffer essential for its security. Beijing, however, sees the region as a critical frontier for economic expansion and global influence.

There are also echoes of the Cold War when Latin America frequently acted as a platform for superpower rivalry, with domestic politico – economic conflicts linked with the greater ideological struggle between US and USSR. It is important to mention that the competition between the United States and China is less ideological and more economic and strategic.

The Limits of American Primacy

Despite the persistence of hemispheric thinking in Washington, the geopolitical landscape of Latin America has fundamentally changed. The United States no longer enjoys uncontested dominance in the region.

China’s economic presence is now deeply embedded, and many Latin American government view engagement with Beijing as an opportunity rather than a threat. For countries seeking infrastructure investment, export markets, and development financing, China offers resources that the United States has often been reluctant to provide.

Moreover, Latin American states themselves are increasingly pursuing strategies of diversification and autonomy. Rather than choosing between Washington and Beijing, many governments seek to balance relations with both powers.

This reality limits the effectiveness of any attempt to restore a traditional sphere of influence.

(Dr Aparaajita Pandey is a professor at Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at the Amity University, NOIDA)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or stance of the organization. The organization assumes no responsibility for the content shared.

Return of Western Hemisphere to US Grand Strategy

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:46:47 +0530

By Dr Aparaajita Pandey

The Western Hemisphere or more accurately the Americas, have found themselves surprisingly not as a priority for much of the post – Cold War era. NATO and the US’ attention has been commanded by crises around the world, more often than not, of their own making. China, West Asia, Europe, and South Asia; have all found themselves being priority for the US; Latin America and the Caribbean even after being the so-called American Backyard have found it difficult to be a priority for the US.

However, that phase of neglect seems to be on its way out. A mixture of great-power competition, migration pressures, energy politics, and the growing presence of China has forced Washington to remember the significance of its immediate neighborhood.

This shift mirrors one of the oldest principles of American foreign policy. In 1823, the Monroe Doctrine declared the Americas were a domain of the US and any intrusion by European powers would be considered a threat to the US. This move established not just the idea that stability in the Americas was central to U.S. security but, also set a precedent that would allow US an entry into Latin America. Over the next century this established and acknowledged principle shaped American interventions across the region, from the -Spanish-American War of 1898, which underlined U.S. influence in the Caribbean, to Cold War policies aimed at preventing Soviet penetration of the hemisphere to the Banana Republics of Central America.

The Cold War gave the Americas a clear strategic relevance, the collapse of the Soviet Union however, became a threshold and let Washington redirect its attention elsewhere. Latin America was largely assumed to be politically stable and firmly embedded within the U.S.-led economic order. The embeddedness of the US, however, is now being questioned.

China and the New Hemispheric Competition

One of the most critical factors of renewed American concentration to the region is China’s vast economic presence across Latin America which surely has the potential to become political in the coming future. Beijing has become one of the region’s most crucial trading partners and investors. Chinese investment has sponsored major infrastructure projects, including ports, energy facilities, mining ventures, and telecommunications networks.

Several Latin American states have joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative, while Chinese companies have gained access to strategic sectors ranging from lithium extraction to digital infrastructure. For the US, these developments are worrisome as they carry consequences that extend beyond economics. Infrastructure and technology networks are increasingly viewed through the lens of geopolitical competition. The Latin American region is therefore becoming an addition to the larger strategic rivalry between the United States and China.

Energy and its Compulsions

Latin America is home to some of the world’s most significant reserves of critical minerals. The lithium triangle of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile holds more than half of the world’s known lithium reserves, while countries such as Peru and Chile dominate global copper production.

New hydrocarbon discoveries are reshaping the energy geography of the hemisphere. The crude oil boom in Guyana is rapidly converting the South American state into one of the fastest-growing energy producers in the world. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s vast oil reserves persist in shaping regional geopolitics in spite of the years of turmoil.

These advances are taking place at a time when global supply chains are becoming increasingly politicized. Access to strategic resources has become a core component of geoeconomic competition between major powers.

Migration and Domestic Politics

Pressures within the United States have also promoted the strategic importance of the Americas. Migration from Central America and Venezuela have become a distinguishing factor in American politics, linking domestic debates about border security directly to political and economic conditions across the region.

This dynamic is reinforcing the argument among policymakers that the Western Hemisphere cannot be treated as a secondary theatre in American strategy.

A More Autonomous Hemisphere

The return of the Americas to American strategic thinking should not be confused with a return to the geopolitical conditions of the past. Unlike during the Cold War, Latin American countries at present pursue more diverse foreign policies. Governments tend to maintain economic and diplomatic ties not only with the United States but also with China, the European Union, India, and other emerging powers.

This is also reminiscent of the broader of the broader change in the world and the shift towards multipolarity. For the US this means influence in the hemisphere must depend on diplomacy, economic engagement, and technological cooperation than the hierarchical dominance that characterized earlier periods.

Geography Returns to Strategy

For decades, American strategy was influenced predominantly by events in distant theatres. But as geopolitical competition intensifies and supply chains become strategic assets, geography is once again asserting itself. Influence over resources, infrastructure, migration routes, and technological networks is progressively becoming intrinsic to regional stability and alignment. The US is remembering a truth it once understood well; global influence begins at home.

But contrasting to the era of the Monroe Doctrine, the Americas today are rooted in a profoundly interconnected world. External powers are already cemented economically, and Latin American states themselves have greater agency than ever before.

The Western Hemisphere is again central to American strategy. The challenge however, for Washington is fundamentally not entirely new but one that they have never been able to overcome; to essentially hold a region that is no longer willing to be held.

The author is a Professor at the department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Amity University, NOIDA

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or stance of the organization. The organization assumes no responsibility for the content shared.

Is China Playing Both Sides in the Iran War? Ex-US NSA Official Jon Finer Explains

Asianet News Central — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:54:06 +0530

Jon Finer, former Principal Deputy National Security Adviser of the United States, said Iran may have received assistance from some of its international partners, including China, though he noted that Beijing has not openly provided military support during the ongoing tensions. In an interview with ANI, Finer said China's diplomatic response so far has largely focused on condemning US actions and calling for de-escalation while offering rhetorical support to Iran.

"Well, you've seen what they've said. You know, I think on a diplomatic level, their messages have been twofold. One, condemning what the United States has done, calling for an end to the conflict, and providing rhetorical support for Iran. Two, they're not doing a whole lot to actually help Iran. At least overtly, it doesn't look like. It doesn't look like they are, well, they're not doing anything militarily," he said.

Historical Ties and Debatable Effectiveness

Finer noted, however, that China and Iran have had long-standing economic ties, and Beijing has historically provided capabilities that contributed to Iran's military development. "So they have had, though, historically, quite an intertwined economic relationship and certainly have provided Iran over time with capabilities that have been inputs into Iran's military," he said.

He added that the effectiveness of such support remains debatable, particularly given Iran's military performance in recent confrontations with Israel and the United States. "How successful that work has been, I think, is debatable given how poorly, for the most part, Iran's military has performed against Israel and against the United States," Finer said.

China's Balanced Middle East Strategy

Finer also stressed that China maintains strong relationships across West Asia and does not necessarily prioritise Iran over other regional partners. "China has very important relationships throughout the Middle East. It's not like they necessarily prioritise Iran above the United Arab Emirates, above Saudi Arabia, above other countries where they are customers for energy, where they have kind of deep connections," he said.

According to Finer, China's broader strategy is to maintain balanced relations with multiple countries rather than making deep security commitments. "China's strategy tends to be to try to be on good terms with everybody and try not to make commitments that are too big to any one country," he said.

Propaganda Lever Against the US

He also suggested that Beijing could use the ongoing conflict as part of its global messaging strategy against Washington. "The last thing I'd say that I'm seeing from China, and I think you'll see this increase, is trying to use what is happening as a propaganda lever against the United States. You know, America is a warlike country. We've told you this before. China loves peace. We don't go around attacking other countries. America does," he said.

Finer added that China's global messaging could aim to gain informational advantages internationally. "I think you are going to see this sort of messaging coming out of China to try to achieve kind of information victories around the world," he said.

Contrasting Strategic Approaches

Explaining the broader difference between Washington's and Beijing's strategic approaches, Finer said China focuses primarily on protecting its own interests while avoiding commitments that could drag it into conflicts. "Look, again, as I said, they have taken a totally different strategic approach than the United States. Try to be on decent terms with everybody. Don't make commitments that pull you into certain conflict from a security perspective and look out first, foremost, maybe exclusively for your own interests," he said.

"It doesn't maybe make them the greatest partner. That's part of why I think China does not have alliances around the world in the way the United States does. But what it does do for them is it prevents them from being overstretched, overcommitted in the way that the United States can sometimes feel," Finer added. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Is China Set to Gain From Donald Trump’s Middle East Muddle?

Asianet Newsable English — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:26:59 +0530

China will be in a stronger position to extract concessions from Donald Trump when the US president finally visits Beijing after becoming entangled in his Middle East war, analysts say. Trump had been due in the Chinese capital at the end of this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, but has delayed his trip by several weeks to deal with the fallout from the war.

His decision last month to join Israel in strikes on Iran has plunged the Middle East into violence, pushed energy prices to years-long highs and seeded fears of global supply shortages due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

With Trump struggling to define how the intervention will end and traditional allies reluctant to back him, the US leader may come to China needing a diplomatic win.

"A show of US force that was meant to intimidate Beijing has instead served to puncture the illusion of US omnipotence," said Ali Wyne, a senior adviser focusing on US-China ties at the International Crisis Group think tank.

"Unable to reopen the Strait of Hormuz alone, Washington now needs its principal strategic competitor to help it manage a crisis of its own making," Wyne said.

Trump said on Tuesday he expects to travel to China in "five or six weeks".

The prospective summit would aim to formalise a truce on tariffs that Trump and Xi shook hands on at a meeting in South Korea in October.

But Trump's weakened position could help Beijing argue for deeper tariff cuts and limit Washington's ability to push for change on other trade issues like access to critical minerals.

New leverage

Top Chinese and American trade officials held what they called "constructive" talks in Paris last weekend that were seen as setting the stage for a Xi-Trump summit.

Any chances of major breakthroughs on trade "seem limited", according to Dan Wang, a director on Eurasia Group's China team, with bilateral trust low after years of disputes over trade, technology and rights.

New US trade investigations into excess industrial capacity in 60 economies including China have also drawn Beijing's ire.

The Chinese leader will benefit from more strategic leverage over Trump as the war drags on -- at least in the near term, analysts told AFP.

Beijing has so far ignored Trump's call for help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas shipments.

Nor has it relaxed its tight control on exports of rare earths, an industry that China dominates and provides certain critical minerals needed in US weaponry.

US military demand for certain "heavy" rare earths far exceed commercial needs, Jason Bedford, visiting senior research scholar at the National University of Singapore's East Asian Institute, told AFP.

They are used for equipment including drones, jet fighters, missile guidance systems and radar, said Bedford.

While the size of US military stockpiles is a "closely guarded secret", he said, "in theory, (China) could certainly disable new weapons production".

The absence of announcements on Hormuz or rare earths suggests "no concrete results were made during the trade talks" in Paris, said Wang of Eurasia Group.

Xi and Trump "have other chances to meet this year", but "the prospects of getting breakthroughs beyond lower tariffs seem limited", she told AFP.

‘Not reliable’

China could also calibrate its actions to make Trump's domestic position shakier at a time when a majority of Americans already oppose military action in the Middle East.

Trump and his negotiators "want China to buy US agricultural products, which is important to the midterm elections for the Republicans", said Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Shanghai's Fudan University.

"If you cannot stabilise relations with China, you have to face some big challenges," Wu said.

Any Xi-Trump summit is unlikely to succeed in changing either side's broader geostrategic aims.

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced that it is considering easing certain sanctions targeting Iranian oil to curb rising prices -- a move experts say could benefit China.

China is believed to be the main buyer of sanctioned Iranian oil, making it Tehran's "main economic lifeline", Henry Tugendhat, a China expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said at a forum on Wednesday.

Beijing also has "no incentive" to stop selling weapons to Iran as long as the United States continues to provide arms to self-ruled Taiwan, Tugendhat said.

On the streets of Beijing this week, locals were circumspect about a visit from the US president.

"Trump's personality is that he changes every day," a 50-year-old IT worker surnamed Huang told AFP.

"Even if he comes, he may have reached agreements with you, but he will change his mind," he said.

"He is not reliable."

Still, Trump's willingness to come to Beijing is a positive sign for 32-year-old finance worker Yang, who said: “I think the United States still hopes to maintain a positive and friendly attitude towards China.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

SHOCKING! Dancing Robot Hits Child During Public Show in China, Video Goes Viral (WATCH)

Gargi Chaudhry — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:42:50 +0530

A humanoid robot inadvertently smacked a little child in the face during a public dance display in China's Shaanxi province on March 21, in an event that has since gone viral on social media. The video shows the robot doing twirls and kicks inside a cordoned-off area before swinging its arms toward a toddler standing nearby. Handlers quickly stepped in to pull the machine away, but it resumed its preset routine in the center of the ring. The robot is thought to be the G1 humanoid model developed by Chinese technology company Unitree Robotics. The machine, which weighs around 35 kilogrammes and costs roughly $13,500, is intended for research, teaching, and commercial usage. It has 23 degrees of freedom in the joints.

Watch Viral Video

Robot uprising also start small, maybe a slap here, a kick there. All to desensitize humans.pic.twitter.com/qpa8yfkIcF

— The Great Translation Movement 大翻译运动 (@TGTM_Official) March 22, 2026

How Did Netizens React?

The video sparked a quick reaction online. "What a dangerous performance," said one commenter. Another person mentioned that the youngster had seen it coming but couldn't get out of the path in time. A third person commented that being struck by metal is actually painful.

Some people expressed broad worries about public safety. One X user stated that a humanoid robot hitting a toddler demonstrated that such robots are far from ready for unsupervised public usage.

This is not the first safety incident utilising Unitree robots. Earlier this year, one of the company's robots accidently kicked a human operator. Earlier this month, authorities in Macau apprehended another Unitree robot after it terrified an elderly woman enough to necessitate hospitalisation. The occurrences have raised new concerns about what safeguards should be in place before humanoid robots are deployed in public settings.

Viral 'Neck-Hanging' Trend In China Sparks Fear As Experts Warn Of Serious Risks

Divya Danu — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:01:13 +0530

A new and unusual trend in China is gaining attention online and worrying many people. Young people are hanging themselves by their necks from trees in parks. They believe this helps reduce neck pain caused by conditions like cervical spondylosis. Videos of this 'neck-hanging exercise' have gone viral. Many users online have said they feel scared just watching it, according to South China Morning Post report.

What the exercise involves

The practice is meant to copy cervical traction therapy, a medical treatment used in hospitals. In this trend, a person ties a rope around their head and hangs from a tree branch, often with their feet off the ground. Some even swing slightly like a pendulum.

This idea is not completely new. It has been seen for years among older people in Chinese parks. Many elderly people believe it helps ease neck pain and improves blood flow.

Why people are trying it

Neck problems are common in China. According to the 2024 China Cervical Spine Health White Paper, more than 200 million people suffer from cervical spine disorders. Over 40 per cent of patients are under 30.

Because of this, many young people are now trying simple or home-based methods to find relief. Social media has also helped spread the trend quickly.

Experts warn of serious dangers

Doctors have strongly warned against trying this exercise without proper medical supervision. They say it is very different from real cervical traction therapy.

In hospitals, traction is carefully controlled. The force used is only about 10 to 15 per cent of a person’s body weight. Patients remain still, and doctors adjust the treatment based on each case.

In contrast, the viral exercise often uses full body weight. The body may also swing or twist, which increases the risk.

Shen Ya, a senior therapist, said such uncontrolled suspension can affect blood vessels and nerves. In mild cases, it may cause dizziness and nausea. In serious cases, it can lead to spinal cord injury or even paralysis.

Past incidents and public reaction

There have already been dangerous cases linked to this trend. A 57-year-old man died in 2024 while attempting a similar exercise, the South China Morning Post report added.

Online reactions show growing concern. One user said, “It is honestly terrifying. My blood freezes just watching it.” Another added that risking long-term health for short relief is not worth it.

Growing concern over risky trends

Experts say this trend shows how easily unsafe ideas can spread online. While people are looking for relief from pain, they may unknowingly put themselves at greater risk.

Doctors strongly advise that any treatment for neck problems should only be done under medical guidance.

China: Companies Using Smart Seats, WiFi Tracking to Monitor Employees

Gargi Chaudhry — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:55:37 +0530

Certain Chinese corporations have started watching their staff using Wi-Fi, cameras, and smart seating systems. An employee in Guangzhou discovered a camera above her desk after refusing a work trip due to illness, according to Worker's Daily. In January, she stated that her boss had warned her about utilising private group conversations during office hours. She then examined the camera's storage and discovered that it had captured text and photos from her phone and PC, according to SCMP.

In another occasion, Southern Metropolis Daily reported on a similar incident involving a tech business employee in Hangzhou. According to her, a manager expressed worry over her absence from her desk each morning between 10 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., and warned that her bonus may be impacted. The employee described the surveillance as "creepy and uncomfortable".

An advertising agency in Fuzhou reportedly curtailed restroom breaks, requiring employees to log in and out using fingerprint scans and fining anyone who over the time restriction.

Similar Instance Last Year

Last September, a start-up fired an employee called Wu for allegedly ignoring orders and slacking off. The form utilised CCTV video and his computer surfing history as evidence in court.

According to the logs, Wu grumbled about the employer on social media, browsed shopping websites, and read online books. Wu was astounded at the extent of monitoring. She asked the mainland magazine Vista: "Where exactly is the line between personal privacy and corporate management?"

As workplace surveillance becomes more prevalent, some Chinese workers are seeking for methods to fight back.

Chinese Workers Push Back

As workplace monitoring spreads, some Chinese workers are pushing back. Some have bought chat privacy software for 19.9 yuan, while others use 50 yuan screen protectors for phones and computers. Anti-tracking tools designed to block monitoring of browser activity are also gaining popularity. On mainland social media, posts sharing tips have proliferated, with related topics drawing more than 50 million views.

Meanwhile, analysts think Chinese legislation permits some kind of surveillance, particularly on work gadgets. Companies frequently defend monitoring as a means of safeguarding corporate secrets and mitigating internal dangers. In certain circumstances, courts have concluded that tracking surfing behaviour on workplace computers does not breach privacy because the machines are used for business.

However, legal experts warn that borders are still uncertain. Employees must be notified of surveillance techniques, and monitoring should not include private information irrelevant to work.

What Happened In Xinjiang In 2008? The Uyghur Voices China Tried To Silence

Anish Kumar — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:21:54 +0530

New Delhi: In March 2008, hundreds of Uyghur demonstrators gathered in the oasis cities of Hotan and Karakax in China’s Xinjiang region. Their protests followed the death in police custody of Mutallip Hajim, a respected Uyghur businessman whose burial had been ordered in secrecy.

The demonstrations came just days after unrest in Tibet had shaken China ahead of the Beijing Olympics. As police surrounded the marchers and arrested hundreds, information from the region became scarce, offering only a fragmented glimpse into tensions that had long been building beneath Xinjiang’s surface.

What Happened In Xinjiang 2008?

The protests were not spontaneous. By 2008, Uyghur culture had been under sustained pressure for years. The Chinese government had placed strict restrictions on Islamic practice, limiting the right to fast during Ramadan, banning certain religious texts, and placing mosques under state supervision.

Uyghur-language schools were being phased out in favour of Mandarin-only education. The mass migration of Han Chinese into Xinjiang, actively encouraged by Beijing through economic incentives, had progressively pushed Uyghurs to the margins of their own homeland, economically and culturally.

When the protests broke out, the demonstrators were not asking for independence. They were asking to exist on their own terms. To speak their language. To observe their faith. To pass their history on to their children.

The Uyghur Voices China Tried To Silence

China's response was swift and revealing. Security forces moved in immediately. Foreign journalists who attempted to reach Xinjiang were turned back or detained at checkpoints. International media coverage was thin, fragmented, and heavily filtered.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International documented the crackdown in subsequent reports, noting that dozens of Uyghurs were arrested and that the full scale of events was deliberately kept from public view.

What made the state's reaction significant was not only its speed but its blueprint. The media blackout imposed in March did not lift in the weeks that followed. Instead, it became a template.

China had learned that it could suppress an event of this magnitude and face little lasting international accountability. The silence that descended on Xinjiang in March 2008 was not the silence of resolution. It was the silence of preparation.

In the years between 2008 and 2017, security spending in Xinjiang grew exponentially. Surveillance infrastructure was expanded. Algorithms were developed to flag Uyghurs based on their religious practice, travel history, and social connections. When the mass detention programme was activated after 2017, it slid into an apparatus that had been quietly assembled over nearly a decade.

The 2008 Uyghur Protests The World Overlooked

The international community's muted response to the protests gave Beijing early confirmation that the world was willing to look elsewhere. China was the host of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and political caution dominated Western foreign policy circles. Economic interdependence was already too deep for governments to risk a rupture over what many chose to frame as an internal security matter.

That framing has since collapsed. Leaked Chinese government documents, including the China Cables published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in 2019, confirmed what survivors had been saying for years: the detention system was not remedial. It was punitive, systematic, and deliberate.

March 2008 was when Uyghur voices broke through. It was also the day Beijing decided those voices had to be permanently silenced. The world heard them, however faintly, and then moved on. That decision carries consequences that are still unfolding.

Unmasking China's Tibet Propaganda: Sovereignty Myths Exposed

Anish Kumar — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:07:13 +0530

New Delhi: China, for many years, has been talking with one voice on the issue of the Tibetan plateau. The origin of the Chinese story on Tibet is that the region has always been a part of the great motherland China, and the so-called Chinese "invasion" of Tibet in 1950 was actually a "liberation" from feudalism. This official version of the story is so relentlessly repeated by China's diplomatic and media apparatus that it has become accepted by many as the truth. Yet, a thorough study of the records and an observation of the local governance disentail that this account is a falsehood purposely constructed. It is a huge rewriting of the history to cover a colonial occupation story under the pretext of national unity.

Historical Revisionism as a Legitimacy Project

The main basis of Beijing's argument is a retroactive imposition of the concept of nation, state sovereignty as we understand it today on ancient, very loosely defined relationships. The Chinese Communist Party claims that Tibet has been a part of China continuously since the Yuan Dynasty in the 1200s. This trick is a gesture that tries to merge two very different historical contexts into one. The Yuan Dynasty was a Mongol empire that conquered both China and Tibet as separate territories within its larger empire. To claim that Mongol overlordship of Tibet is the same as historical Chinese sovereignty is like India claiming Australia as its territory just because both were former colonies of the British Empire.

Scholars and historians note that the relationship between the Tibetan lamas and the Mongol or Manchu emperors was one of priest and patron, not ruler and subject in the Westphalian sense. During the Qing Dynasty, while there was a Manchu resident in Lhasa, the Tibetan government exercised significant autonomy. More importantly, in the period between the fall of the Qing in 1911 and the invasion in 1950, Tibet functioned as an independent state in every practical sense. It possessed its own currency, postal system, and legal code. It signed treaties and issued passports which were recognised by other nations. Beijing currently expends vast resources to scrub this period of effective self-rule from the global consciousness, reinterpreting it as a mere interim of local separatism abetted by foreign imperialists.

The Myth of Benevolent Liberation

To rationalise their military takeover of Tibet, Beijing heavily leans on the figure of benevolent emancipation for the argument. The state propaganda apparatus portrays Tibet before 1951 as a hellish place of serfdom and religious tyranny, thus representing the People's Liberation Army not as conquerors but as rescuers. Tibet before modern times was indeed divided and socially unequal, but the exaggerated caricature of total slavery is mainly for political use: it masks the "sin" of the invasion.

The narration conveniently ignores the coercive nature of the 1951 Seventeen Point Agreement. This agreement, which legitimised Chinese domination, was signed by Tibetan representatives who were directly threatened with an overwhelming show of military force and personal danger. It was a typical case of an unequal treaty in which a powerful aggressor imposed its will on a weaker neighbour. Instead of having the promised autonomy, Tibet in the following years suffered the breakdown of its traditional social structures. The 1959 uprising and the Dalai Lama's escape were not, as Beijing argues, the desperate actions of a reactionary elite intent on the retention of unpopular power, but a mass refusal of foreign domination.

Cultural Erasure as Continuation of Occupation

The occupation remains a fact today, only the form of change in focus from military victory to the killing of local spirit by bureaucracy. The autonomy that was promised is only for show. The power of Tibetan officials is negligible compared to that of Communist Party secretaries of China who are the real masters of the region. The present policy under President Xi Jinping continues to be harsh on the culture of Tibet, which reflects a clear intention to destroy the cultural and religious identity of Tibet and substitute natural loyalty to the state.

This situation demonstrates the most dramatic in the farce around the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government, which is atheist in principle, has declared that it has the exclusive right to find and appoint the next incarnation of Tibetan Buddhism's highest spiritual leader. This contradiction reveals how hypocritical their ruling style is. They want to use the institutional role of the Dalai Lama as a means to forcibly appoint a Chairman's loyalist as the next incarnation who will support the Chinese government's policies. Besides that, the replacement of Tibetan with Mandarin as the language of instruction in schools is a kind of cultural genocide in slow motion which disconnects the youth from their literary and religious inheritance.

Global Disinformation Campaign

Beijing knows that internal repression does not play well in the public eye. Hence, it has engaged in a worldwide disinformation campaign to whitewash its record. It is a part of this effort to limit foreign journalists and diplomats' interaction with Tibet, either by denying them access altogether or by deceiving them through empty Potemkin tours where staged happiness hides the surveillance state. At the same time, the state agency continues to harass Tibetan refugees and has even weaponised social media to drown out critical voices. Academics who question the official history are not given visas, and publishing houses are pressured to limit their content. By saturating the information environment with attractive, state-produced content featuring infrastructure development and picturesque landscapes, Beijing aims to divert the attention of the world from the essential absence of political freedom.

The story of an eternally united Tibet is a fictional narrative created to justify the geopolitical ambitions of the Chinese state. It is based on the misrepresentation of history, the demonisation of the past, and the silencing of the present. The world must understand that stunning infrastructure projects and rising GDP figures cannot mask the truth about the people whose right to self-determination is being denied. Acquiescing to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) narrative means consenting to the disappearance of a separate nation and culture.

World’s First Robot Arrest? Police Escort Humanoid After It Scares Elderly Woman in Macau (WATCH)

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:22:59 +0530

What looked like a scene straight out of a science fiction thriller briefly played out on a quiet street in Macau when police officers were called in to deal with an unlikely suspect — a humanoid robot. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, shows officers escorting a small robot away after it reportedly startled a 70-year-old woman who believed it was following her.

Elderly Woman Startled by Silent Robot

According to local authorities, the woman had stopped outside a residential complex around 21:00 local time to check her phone. When she turned around, she suddenly noticed the robot standing directly behind her.

Police said the robot had simply paused on the pathway, waiting for the pedestrian to move aside. But the unexpected presence of the machine left the woman shaken.

Footage circulating online shows the elderly woman shouting at the robot while waving her bag at it as the small machine repeatedly raises its arms in the air.

In the video, according to a translation by the Macau Post, the woman can be heard yelling:

"You're making my heart race!"

She then continues:

"You've got plenty to do, so what's the point of messing around with this? Are you freaking crazy?"

This is wild, police just arrested a humanoid robot > in Macau a 70-year-old woman noticed a humanoid robot following her at night> the robot was a Unitree G1> she panicked and started yelling> people gathered and filmed> police showed up and escorted the robot away> it… https://t.co/YJ18hC7yIS pic.twitter.com/tRJ6X1mhUC

— CG (@cgtwts) March 16, 2026

Police Remove Robot From Scene

The clip then shows two police officers escorting the Unitree G1 humanoid robot down the road. One officer appears to guide the robot by holding its shoulder while walking it away from the area.

Authorities clarified that the robot was not formally arrested, but officers removed it from the scene and returned it to its operator — a man in his 50s.

The woman later told police she felt unwell after the encounter and was taken to hospital for a check-up. Doctors later confirmed there had been no physical altercation between her and the robot.

After receiving treatment, the unnamed woman said she would not file a complaint against the robot’s operator.

Robot Was Part of Promotional Activity

Authorities later revealed that the robot belonged to a nearby education centre that had been using it as part of a promotional campaign.

Towin Mak, a spokesperson for the centre, told local broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau (TDM) that the robot had been leaving the area when it encountered the elderly woman.

Mak explained that the machine was being guided by a combination of autonomous programming and remote supervision at the time.

The operator later apologised for the distress caused.

Robots Already Being Used in Policing

Although the Macau incident may have looked unusual, robots are already becoming part of law enforcement strategies around the world.

Professor Ivan Sun from the University of Delaware has previously predicted that robotic police officers could begin patrolling streets within the next five years.

These machines could eventually detect, pursue and apprehend suspects while working alongside human officers.

Several countries have already begun experimenting with robotic policing.

In Singapore, the Xavier robot patrols public areas and detects “undesirable social behaviours” such as smoking, alerting human officers when necessary.

China has also introduced security robots such as AnBot, which can conduct surveillance, verify identities and patrol transport hubs.

Elsewhere, including in the UAE, robots are already being deployed in more service-oriented roles such as greeting tourists or assisting visitors in multiple languages during large events.

After Kabul Massacre, Pakistan’s ‘Iron-Clad Friend’ China Calls For Dialogue With Afghanistan

Asianet Newsable English — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:44:17 +0530

China — widely regarded as Pakistan’s closest strategic partner — on Tuesday called for “calm and restraint” after a devastating Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul reportedly killed hundreds of people. The strike, which Afghan authorities say targeted a treatment facility for drug addicts in the Afghan capital, has triggered outrage and deepened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Despite its long-standing alliance with Islamabad, Beijing signalled concern over the escalating violence, urging both countries to halt hostilities and seek a diplomatic solution.

China’s foreign ministry urged the two countries to "swiftly implement a ceasefire" and resolve their differences through dialogue.

BREAKING: More videos from tonight's Pakistani airstrikes which hit a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, killing or wounding an unspecified number of people, according to an Afghan Taliban spokesperson. Pakistan’s government rejects this, claiming they targeted "military… pic.twitter.com/GtRmnicTLW

— Yalda Hakim (@SkyYaldaHakim) March 16, 2026

This is not Iran, Lebanon or Israel.This is Kabul, Afghanistan, after airstrikes by it's nuclear armed neighborpic.twitter.com/ZHXzISpNyy

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 17, 2026

#WATCH | At least 400 people were killed and 250 injured in an air strike by Pakistan on a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul(Video Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/f4k48rPOTz

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2026

China’s Message To Its Closest Partner

Responding to the latest escalation, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing was actively trying to ease tensions.

"China... will continue to leverage its own channels to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions and facilitating the improvement of bilateral relations," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"Dialogue and negotiation constitute the only effective means of resolving issues between the two countries."

China also revealed that a special envoy had recently spent a week mediating between the two sides, reflecting Beijing’s growing concern over instability in the region.

Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghanistan on Monday night, which reportedly hit a medical center in Kabul, raise concerns about potential heavy casualties. Asked whether China is still mediating between the two countries, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday… pic.twitter.com/NFRDM05bME

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 17, 2026

Hundreds Killed In Kabul Strike

Afghan officials say the scale of the tragedy is enormous.

"The toll is not final as the rescue operation is still going on but we have around 400 martyrs and more than 200 wounded," health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman told a news conference.

Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani gave a similar figure during the same briefing, saying there were "408 killed and 265 wounded".

The strike hit a drug rehabilitation centre — a place meant to treat addiction and provide shelter to some of Kabul’s most vulnerable residents. Instead, it has now become the site of one of the deadliest attacks in the capital in recent months.

Authorities say the number of victims is so high that families have been asked to allow their loved ones to be buried together in a communal grave, particularly as the tragedy unfolded during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Pakistan Denies Civilian Targeting

Pakistan, however, denied deliberately striking civilians.

Islamabad said its military operation targeted militant infrastructure and insisted it had carried out precision strikes on "military installations and terrorist support infrastructure".

The Pakistani military has carried out multiple strikes in Afghanistan in recent weeks, claiming the Taliban government is harbouring extremists responsible for attacks across the border.

Kabul has consistently rejected those accusations.

Kabul Grieves As Questions Mount

For Kabul residents, the attack has turned a centre meant for recovery and treatment into a place of mass death.

With rescue operations still ongoing and hundreds feared dead, the strike has left the Afghan capital reeling — and has raised fresh questions about Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign.

Even as Islamabad insists the strikes were aimed at militant targets, the mounting civilian toll is fuelling anger — and forcing even its closest ally, China, to call publicly for restraint.

(With inputs from AFP)

The End of Global Harmony? How Geoeconomics Is Driving Strategic Rivalries

Asianet Newsable English — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 23:40:59 +0530

By Dr Aparaajita Pandey: The world post the Cold War, has enjoyed what is called an era of long peace; the dominant narrative of the times has been that economic interdependence finds a way to trump geopolitical rivalry. The expansion of global supply chains, energy markets, and financial integration did seem to highlight the idea that the world had entered a period in which economic cooperation would overcome strategic competition. However, that assumption is looking increasingly fragile. The world is witnessing a series of regional crises that is leading to a gradual reconfiguration of the international system into a form of competitive geoeconomics, where economic networks, energy flows, and technological systems are increasingly shaped by strategic rivalry.

Energy Geopolitics: The New Battleground

Energy geopolitics offers a wonderful illustration of how geoeconomics being used to impact deeper geopolitical rivalries, which is diametrically opposite to peace dividend argument that the world has revelled in for decades. China’s key oil suppliers including Iran and Venezuela that have for long operated under varying degrees of sanctions and political pressure; have now been at the receiving end of the US’ wrath and an obvious ramification of this is the impending avalanche in China’s energy security calculations. The challenge for Beijing is not only the price of crude but also the reliability of access to crude. For Washington on the other hand, a marginally more vulnerable China provides them with strategic leverage at the same time broadcasts their presence in the rest of the world which had seem to lose its shine in the recent past. In addition to the Beijing – Washington dynamics, there are systemic implications for the structure of global energy markets.

Weaponization of Interdependence

This reflects a broader phenomenon of the weaponization of interdependence. The networks that once fortified globalization are progressively susceptible to geopolitical manipulation. The use of tactics like control over chokepoints, regulatory regimes, and payment systems enables states to apply influence beyond their immediate geographic sphere. Subsequently, economic statecraft has become inseparable from national security strategy.

Technology as a Strategic Asset

Technology supply chains, rare-earth minerals, semiconductor manufacturing, and digital infrastructure can now all be referred to as strategic assets instead of just economic tools. Governments have begun to treat these sectors not merely as economic domains but as pillars of national strength and geopolitical leverage. Export controls, investment screening mechanisms, and industrial policy are therefore becoming central components of strategic competition. The shift is that economics that was once supposed to be used as means of greater global consolidation, is now being used to strengthen rivalries leading to an increasingly fragmented globe.

Erosion of Global Institutions

This transformation also reflects a deeper structural transition in the international system. The post–Cold War order leaned on the assumption that global institutions and common systems could control economic competition. Yet the authority of many of such institutions has steadily weakened. Trade disputes progressively circumvent multilateral mechanisms, sanctions regimes mushroom beyond established frameworks, and strategic rivalries spill into domains formerly presided by economic norms. The result is a world in which economic governance is increasingly shaped by power politics rather than institutional accord.

However, this is hardly a departure from the norm, this emerging landscape bears a resemblance to earlier periods of international history. The late nineteenth century, often labelled as the first age of globalization, exhibited a similar blend of economic integration and geopolitical rivalry. European powers contested fiercely for access to resources, maritime routes, and colonial markets as global trade expanded rapidly. Economic networks have the tendency to be able to facilitate both cooperation and competition.

Rise of Regional Security Architectures

The present world mirrors earlier eras in several important aspects. Energy resources have superseded colonial commodities as the strategic prize, and maritime chokepoints from the Strait of Hormuz to the South China Sea essentially have become modern equivalents of the imperial sea lanes that were once so dearly wanted by European navies. Infrastructure investment, digital connectivity, and port development have turned into agents of influence analogous to the railway networks and telegraph lines that once highlighted imperial expansion. The mechanisms have changed, but the underlying logic remains the same; economic connectivity can augment success, and it can also increase contention.

Another historical parallel is the increasing regionalization of security arrangements. The institutions that once had a global character and promised collective security are becoming increasingly regional in their outlook and actions. Europe continues to rely primarily on transatlantic security structures, while the Indo-Pacific is witnessing the rise of flexible strategic alignments as countries seek to balance competing powers. The international system is evolving toward a mosaic of regional security architectures.

Challenges for the Global South

These are uncertain times for the Global South. The recent events have made it clear that states that are considered the most powerful and have been entrusted with the upholding of the global order have little regard for it. Countries that control strategic resources, maritime routes, or critical markets hold better bargaining leverage and at the same time are also at a greater risk of being trampled over by a larger power or at the very least being roped into a proxy war.

Security-Driven Economic Policy

The economic ramifications of this shift are already visible. Defence spending has risen across regions; this rise is a function of the rising uncertainty around the world. Governments are investing in strategic sectors ranging from semiconductors to energy infrastructure, to decrease weaknesses that could be exploited by geopolitical hostilities. These efforts signal a broader movement that has been termed security-driven economic policy. Economic interdependence can no longer be assumed to be fundamentally stabilizing; it is gradually considered a potential source of vulnerability.

The world may be returning to a recurring historical pattern; a period of intense economic integration that is followed by renewed geopolitical competition. Such a system forces prosperity and rivalry to coexist albeit uneasily. Markets tend to expand even as strategic distrust deepens.

To understand this transformation, one requires to move beyond the notion that geopolitics and economics operate in silos. Energy markets, supply chains, and financial systems have become the terrain on which power is contested. The emerging international order will therefore be defined not only by the balance of military capabilities but also by the ability of states to shape the economic networks that sustain global power.

(The author is a Professor at Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Amity University, NOIDA)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or stance of the organization. The organization assumes no responsibility for the content shared.

How A Naga Officer Hoisted India’s Flag In Tawang And Changed History Without Firing A Shot

Vaishnav Akash — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:18:21 +0530

In the early 1950s, newly independent India was racing to unify its scattered territories into one nation. Across the border, Mao Zedong was consolidating power in China and soon moved to annex Tibet. This made Tawang, part of India’s North-East Frontier Agency and lying south of the McMahon Line, a critical focus area for New Delhi.

On February 14, 1951, the Indian Tricolour was hoisted in Tawang, marking its integration into India. That watershed moment, which completes 75 years next week, was achieved without a shot being fired. The man behind it was Major Bob Khathing Ralengnao, a Naga officer from Manipur who had earlier fought alongside the Allies against Japanese forces during World War II. His skills, trust-building, and local knowledge enabled India to secure the strategically vital region peacefully.

Tawang’s importance was highlighted during the 1962 war, when Chinese forces entered India through this very frontier. The episode highlighted why securing the region in 1951 was crucial for India’s territorial integrity.

Beyond its strategic relevance, Tawang holds immense spiritual significance. It is home to the Tawang Monastery, the second-largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism after Lhasa, and a major centre of the Gelugpa tradition. The region is also revered as the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, who lived between 1683 and 1706.

Today, India’s Northeastern frontiers occupy a central place in strategic, political, and developmental discourse. With nearly 99 percent of its boundaries shared with other countries, the region remains at the heart of India’s border anxieties. Tawang, located on the eastern Himalayan frontier, continues to be linked to India-China tensions and has been a recurring diplomatic flashpoint.

At this juncture, revisiting the story of how Tawang became part of India offers a forgotten lesson in statecraft. Major Bob Khathing’s 1951 expedition stands as a reminder of how foresight, local engagement, and decisive leadership secured a region that remains vital to India’s security and identity.

Arms Race Heats Up: India's Imports Dip 4% But Stays World's 2nd Largest Buyer; Pakistan Scrambles

Anish Kumar — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:13:53 +0530

New Delhi: India continues to occupy a strategically vulnerable position as the world’s second-largest importer of arms, accounting for 8.2% of total global arms imports, second only to Ukraine, which holds 9.7%, according to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released on Monday.

The five largest recipients of major arms in 2021–25 were Ukraine, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan. Read the #SIPRI fact sheet ➡️https://t.co/GwFPE325uk#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRIData #PeaceSources: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar.… pic.twitter.com/66hV44E0sH

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 9, 2026

New SIPRI data on global #ArmsTransfers out now: Global arms flows jump nearly 10% as European demand soars. Read the press release ➡️ https://t.co/6JTmTQC6V9#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRIData #Peace@hrw @UN_Disarmament @UNIDIR @SweArmsControl… pic.twitter.com/vqaBogqfHC

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 8, 2026

Also read: What Is AIP? India to Install Indigenous Air-Independent Propulsion System on INS Khanderi by December 2026

Major Suppliers: Russia Leads, West Gains Ground

According to SIPRI, India’s top arms suppliers are:

Russia: 40%
France: 29%
Israel: 15%

Indian arms imports fell by 4% between 2016–20 and 2021–25.

“The decrease can be partly attributed to India’s growing ability to design and produce its own weapons, although there are often substantial delays in domestic production,” the SIPRI report stated.

#Israel, the seventh largest arms supplier, increased its share of global arms exports from 3.1% in 2016–20 to 4.4% in 2021–25.Read the fact sheet ➡️ https://t.co/GwFPE32DjS#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRIData #Peace #SIPRINote: The boundaries used in this… pic.twitter.com/3cgknqfchP

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 9, 2026

Continued Dependence on Foreign Suppliers

Despite the modest decline, India’s recent and planned orders—including up to 140 Rafale fighter jets from France and six submarines from Germany—highlight its continued and possibly increasing reliance on foreign defence suppliers.

Over the past decade, India has increasingly turned to Western suppliers, such as France, the United States, and Israel, for advanced military equipment.

Arms exports by Italy increased by 157%, pushing it from the tenth largest exporter in 2016–20 to the sixth largest in 2021–25.Latest SIPRI data ➡️ https://t.co/EyWRs33Knh#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRIData #PeaceSources: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database,… pic.twitter.com/EVZLk00XBn

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 9, 2026

For the first time in two decades, the largest share of US arms exports went to Europe in 2021–25 (38%).Read the press release ➡️ https://t.co/6JTmTQC6V9#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRIData #Peace @wgeary @hrw @UN_Disarmament @UNIDIR @controlarms @CAATuk… pic.twitter.com/BriqCNGrZx

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 9, 2026

#USA increases its dominance of arms exports, with exports increasing by 27% between 2016–20 and 2021–25, giving it a 42% share of total global arms exports. Press release ➡️ https://t.co/6JTmTQCEKH#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRIData #ArmsExports #Peace… pic.twitter.com/pPrrcY0Hy6

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 9, 2026

Domestic Challenges: Weak Industrial Base and Strategic Gaps

Apart from India’s relatively weak defence-industrial base, another major challenge is the lack of concrete long-term planning to systematically build military capabilities aligned with the country’s geopolitical aspirations.

Even as India ranks as the world’s fifth-largest defence spender, its armed forces continue to face significant operational shortages, including:

Fighter aircraft
Submarines
Helicopters
Modern infantry weapons
Anti-tank guided missiles
Night-fighting equipment

The five largest exporters of major arms in 2021–25 were USA, France, Russia, Germany and China.Read the fact sheet ➡️ https://t.co/GwFPE32DjS#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #DefenseSpending #SIPRIData @hrw @UNIDIR @CAATuk @UN_Disarmament @_ENAAT… pic.twitter.com/bUIqDSF8Po

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 9, 2026

States in Europe more than trebled their #ArmsImports, making it the biggest recipient region. New #SIPRI data out now. Press release ➡️ https://t.co/6JTmTQCEKH#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #DefenseSpending #SIPRIData Sources: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar.… pic.twitter.com/f1Ydsobsks

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 8, 2026

Pakistan’s Arms Imports Surge

In contrast, Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 66% between 2016–20 and 2021–25.

China supplied 80% of Pakistan’s arms imports during 2021–25, up from 73% in 2016–20, underscoring the deepening defence ties between Islamabad and Beijing.

Also read: Who Were the IAF Pilots Killed In Assam Sukhoi-30MKI Crash?

Global Arms Transfers Spike Due to Ukraine

The increase in global arms flows between 2021–25 was the largest since 2011–15, primarily driven by military aid to Ukraine and rising defence imports across Europe.

European states received 33% of global arms imports, with the region’s imports increasing by 210% between 2016–20 and 2021–25.Latest SIPRI data ➡️ https://t.co/EyWRs33cxJ#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRIData #Peace Sources: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, Mar.… pic.twitter.com/ZlBTrcX7VQ

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 9, 2026

The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2021–25 was 9.2% higher than in 2016–20. This was the biggest increase in global arms flows since 2011–15.New SIPRI fact sheet out now ➡️ https://t.co/GwFPE325uk#ArmsTransfers #GlobalArmsTrade #ArmsData #SIPRI #Peace pic.twitter.com/5aYDrux587

— SIPRI (@SIPRIorg) March 8, 2026

“While tensions and conflicts in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East continue to drive large-scale arms imports, the sharp increase in arms flows to European states pushed global arms transfers up almost 10 per cent,” said Mathew George, Director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

“Deliveries to Ukraine since 2022 are the most obvious factor, but most other European states have also started importing significantly more arms to shore up their military capabilities against a perceived growing threat from Russia.”

Chinese National Arrested Near Dalai Lama’s Residence in Himachal, Police Probe Possible Spy Links

Vaishnav Akash — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:10:06 +0530

A 60‑year‑old Chinese national has been arrested in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district for illegally residing in McLeodganj, a town of strategic importance as the seat of the Tibetan government‑in‑exile and home to the Dalai Lama.

Police confirmed that the individual, identified as Lou Wennian from Sichuan province, had been living in McLeodganj since September 26, 2025, without valid documentation. He was detained on February 2, 2026, after authorities found he had overstayed for nearly 130 days without an Indian visa, violating Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Additional SP Bir Bahadur stated that the accused entered India via Nepal, carrying only a Nepal tourist visa valid for 90 days. Passport checks revealed travel history across nine to ten countries. Officials registered an FIR at McLeodganj police station and informed central agencies for further investigation.

Authorities disclosed that forensic teams seized electronic gadgets from the accused and discovered approximately 4,00,000 Chinese yuan in his bank account. Investigators are examining his movements during the illegal stay, particularly visits to sensitive areas in McLeodganj. Preliminary findings also suggest that the man previously served in the Chinese police, raising further questions about his presence in the region.

Police noted that the accused spoke only Chinese, complicating initial enquiries. He will be produced before court as investigations continue. Officials emphasized that his prolonged stay without valid documents posed a serious breach of security protocols in a location already under heightened surveillance.

McLeodganj’s significance stems from its role as the headquarters of the Tibetan government‑in‑exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama. The town attracts thousands of visitors annually, both domestic and international. Given its sensitive profile, multiple central agencies maintain offices in the area. In 2025, the Centre extended Z‑category security protection to the Tibetan spiritual leader, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the region.

Uyghur leaders slam China's 'breathtaking' anti-Islamophobia post

Asianet News Central — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:00:18 +0530

A sharp exchange unfolded on social media platform X following a post by the Chinese Mission to the United Nations marking the International Day to combat Islamophobia. In its message, the mission emphasised the importance of opposing all forms of Islamophobia, promoting dialogue among civilisations, and respecting religious and cultural diversity, adding that China would continue to work closely with Islamic countries.

Uyghur Leaders Condemn 'Breathtaking' Hypocrisy

The statement, however, drew strong criticism from Uyghur activists and leaders. Rushan Abbas, Chairwoman of the Executive Committee of the World Uyghur Congress, condemned the post, calling it "breathtaking" in its audacity. She accused the Chinese government of systematically targeting Islamic practices, alleging the destruction of thousands of mosques, restrictions on religious participation, including banning children from places of worship, and the detention of millions of Uyghur Muslims in what Beijing describes as "vocational training" centres.

Personal Toll and State-Sponsored Campaign Allegations

Abbas also highlighted the personal toll of these policies, drawing attention to the continued detention of her sister, Gulshan Abbas. "My sister has been in a CCP prison for over 7.5 years for the crime of being related to me," she said, questioning China's claims of respecting religious and cultural identity. She described the situation as evidence that China is not combating Islamophobia but rather conducting what she termed "the world's most aggressive state-sponsored campaign against Islamic life".

Accusations of Deflection and Deception

Echoing these concerns, Salih Hudayar of the East Turkistan Government in Exile criticised Beijing's statement as deeply hypocritical. He argued that such messaging is a calculated attempt to mislead Muslim-majority countries and the broader international community while deflecting attention from allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and ongoing repression in the Uyghur region. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Xuzhou Victim and Zhang Zhan: How China’s Censorship Buried Justice for Two Brave Women

Anish Kumar — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:16:12 +0530

New Delhi: Some stories trend for a week. Then they disappear. The people inside those stories do not. The Xuzhou chained woman (later identified as Xiao Huamei) is still living with what happened to her. Zhang Zhan is still dealing with the consequences of what she chose to document.

International Women's Day comes every year. Their situations have not resolved.

Eight Children and Years of Captivity

The Xuzhou chained woman came to global attention in early 2022. Videos showing a visibly distressed woman chained inside a run-down structure in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, spread rapidly online before Chinese censors moved in.

Reports that followed identified her as someone who had been trafficked, forced into marriage, and made to have children against her will. Eight children. Years of this. All while living in conditions that no person should ever have to endure.

When authorities finally responded publicly, the answers they provided were widely seen as incomplete. Local officials were punished to a degree, but the larger questions about how trafficking and forced marriage and repeated childbirth operate in parts of rural China were never seriously taken up. The public was upset. The censors were faster. The conversation ended.

The Xuzhou chained woman did not get justice. She got a story that was closed before anyone finished reading it.

A Citizen Journalist in Wuhan

Zhang Zhan was a lawyer from Shanghai who gave up her practice to report independently. In early 2020, she travelled to Wuhan during the early Covid-19 outbreak and did something straightforward: she showed what she saw. Crowded hospitals. Frightened people.

Officials managing a situation that was clearly worse than what was being officially acknowledged.

For reporting this, she was arrested in May 2020. At trial, she was handed a four-year sentence on charges that human rights groups described as politically motivated.

During her imprisonment, she reportedly refused food at various points to protest her detention. Concerns about her health were raised by international observers repeatedly.

She was released in May 2024. The freedom was conditional in practice. Surveillance continued.

Her ability to speak publicly remained restricted. People who tried to reach her described difficulty making contact. She was later detained again and reportedly sentenced to another prison term.

Why Their Stories Still Matter

The word 'forgotten' applies to both of these women not because their stories were never known, but because the systems around them ensured those stories could not grow into the accountability they deserved. One woman survived captivity and forced marriage and repeated childbirth. The other reported a public health crisis and went to prison for it. Both are still dealing with the fallout.

International Women's Day is supposed to be about honouring women and pushing for the protections they still lack. That push should include names. Specific ones. Not just themes and hashtags but the actual women whose cases remain unresolved.

The Xuzhou chained woman. Zhang Zhan.

Their defiance deserves to be remembered. Their cases deserve to be finished properly.