分类： politics

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Southeast Asian nations to bolster their maritime capabilities to counter China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Speaking at a meeting with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) counterparts, Hegseth emphasized the destabilizing impact of China’s recent activities, including vessel ramming and the use of water cannons. The South China Sea remains a highly contested region, with China claiming nearly the entire area, while ASEAN members such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei assert overlapping claims. The Philippines, a key U.S. ally, has faced frequent confrontations with Chinese maritime forces. Hegseth criticized China’s recent designation of Scarborough Shoal, seized from the Philippines in 2012, as a ‘nature reserve,’ calling it a tactic to expand territorial claims. He urged ASEAN to accelerate the conclusion of a Code of Conduct with China and enhance joint surveillance and rapid-response mechanisms. He also proposed a ‘shared maritime domain awareness’ system to ensure collective security. Additionally, Hegseth welcomed plans for an ASEAN-U.S. maritime exercise in December, aimed at reinforcing freedom of navigation and sovereign rights. China, however, dismissed U.S. criticism, accusing Washington of provoking tensions and interfering in regional affairs. Chinese officials labeled the Philippines a ‘troublemaker’ following recent joint naval and air drills with the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, which Beijing claimed undermined regional stability.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump convened for their first face-to-face meeting in six years during talks in South Korea. President Trump emerged from the discussions expressing exceptional optimism, rating the encounter a “12 on a scale of 1 to 10” and announcing forthcoming reductions in U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. In reciprocal arrangement, China committed to enhanced American access to rare earth minerals—critical components in high-technology manufacturing.

The Chinese response, conveyed through a foreign ministry statement, struck a more measured tone, noting that both leaders had “exchanged views on important economic and trade issues” while expressing Xi’s willingness to “continue working with Trump to build a solid foundation for China and the US.” This diplomatic caution reflects Beijing’s ongoing concerns about the Trump administration’s unpredictability and its potential impact on China’s economy.

The summit occurred against the backdrop of China’s fundamental economic recalibration, following the Chinese Communist Party’s Fourth Plenum which established self-reliance as the nation’s primary development priority. This strategic shift responds to multiple challenges: a pronounced economic slowdown, a devastating 2021 property market collapse that wiped out wealth for millions of citizens, and persistent trade tensions with the United States that have disrupted China’s export-dependent growth model.

Historically, China’s economic miracle relied on two pillars: massive infrastructure and real estate investment, and manufactured goods exports. Both engines have now stalled. Investment has plateaued while the trade war with America—China’s largest export market—has created sustained uncertainty, exacerbated by Trump’s imposition of 145% tariffs on most Chinese goods upon returning to office in January 2025.

In response, Chinese officials are attempting to pivot toward domestic consumption-driven growth through improved job opportunities, healthcare, and social benefits. However, this transition faces substantial obstacles including weak social safety nets that encourage precautionary savings, and heavily indebted local governments with limited capacity to fund public services.

Concurrently, China pursues technological leadership in AI and advanced computing by 2035—another domain where self-reliance has become imperative due to sweeping U.S. technology restrictions. Despite the recent diplomatic engagement, American limitations on semiconductor exports remain largely intact, with Trump explicitly excluding China from accessing Nvidia’s most advanced Blackwell chips.

The rare earth minerals concession represents a strategic victory for Beijing, which had imposed export restrictions in October apparently to strengthen its negotiating position. For Xi Jinping, whose political legitimacy rests heavily on economic performance and nationalist sentiment, such tangible successes are crucial amid growing economic challenges that threaten even his considerable authority.

New York City, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, has become a focal point in the ongoing mayoral election. With nearly a million Jewish residents, the community’s diverse political and cultural perspectives are shaping the race. Zohran Mamdani, a candidate in the Democratic primary, has garnered significant support from younger Jewish voters, with 67% of Jews under 44 voting for him. Overall, Mamdani secured 43% of the Jewish vote, according to recent polls. A subgroup of his supporters, known as ‘Jews for Zohran,’ has emerged, comprising individuals and organizations like Jews for Racial and Economic Justice and Jewish Voice for Peace. These groups have mobilized to engage both Jewish communities and New Yorkers at large. Despite being labeled as antisemitic by some critics, Mamdani has attracted Jewish voters who believe in his vision for affordable housing, healthcare, and social equity. Jacob Bloomfield, a canvasser for Mamdani, emphasized the candidate’s commitment to addressing systemic inequalities, stating that ‘everyone in our society should have access to a basic standard of living.’ Actor and comedian Matt Ketai, another supporter, praised Mamdani’s energy and principles, while criticizing Islamophobic narratives perpetuated by opponents like Andrew Cuomo. Journalist Caleb Espiiritu-Bloomfield highlighted the generational divide within the Jewish community over Israel, noting that younger Jews are less tied to traditional views. While Mamdani’s stance on Israel remains a point of contention, many Jewish voters see him as a unifying figure who understands the challenges faced by minorities in a Christian-majority society. As the election approaches, Mamdani’s campaign continues to resonate with Jewish voters who prioritize social justice and inclusivity.