In a bid to fortify Sino-Japanese relations, experts have underscored the imperative of mutual respect and robust people-to-people exchanges. This call comes as both nations, pivotal players in the Asia-Pacific region, grapple with escalating global challenges. Xie Fuzhan, President of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, emphasized the extensive common interests and cooperative potential between China and Japan during the Second Forum on Sino-Japanese Friendship and People-to-People Exchanges in Beijing. He highlighted that the bilateral relationship not only impacts the two nations but also significantly influences regional and global stability. Xie urged both countries to adopt a long-term, strategic perspective, addressing historical issues with prudence and respect to foster a forward-looking relationship. Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi echoed this sentiment, stressing the critical role of candid dialogue in deepening mutual understanding and trust. Yuji Miyamoto, President of the Japan-China Friendship Center, lamented the decline in academic exchanges due to recent political turbulence, advocating for a deeper awareness of each other’s societies and cultures to bridge the understanding gap. Jiang Yuechun, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, pointed out the erosion of the rules-based international order by certain countries, leading to global instability. He called for enhanced cooperation through multilateral frameworks like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to uphold free trade and multilateralism. Despite the shifting public perceptions, both countries share vast potential for cooperation in areas such as climate change, green growth, and digital trade. Ryuji Hattori, a professor at Chuo University in Japan, highlighted the strain on China-Japan relations due to Tokyo’s evolving security policies. He emphasized the necessity of building trust through solid institutional foundations and societal-level mutual understanding. As the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression approaches, Miyamoto urged Japan to reflect on its past militarism and recognize that lasting peace and friendly cooperation are the only viable paths forward.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Gaza ceasefire talks collapse as starvation crisis mounts
The latest efforts to broker peace in Gaza have hit a significant roadblock as negotiations in Qatar abruptly ended, with both the United States and Israel withdrawing their delegations. The U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, accused Hamas of lacking genuine intent to reach a ceasefire, stating that the group appeared uncoordinated and unwilling to act in good faith. This development has dashed hopes for an immediate resolution to the 21-month-long siege of Gaza, which has left the territory in a state of humanitarian crisis. The collapse of talks coincides with France’s historic decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state, a move French President Emmanuel Macron described as essential for Middle Eastern security. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with the United Nations and aid agencies warning of widespread famine. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported that over 100 people, mostly children, have died of hunger, with one in five children in Gaza City malnourished. Despite having 6,000 trucks of emergency supplies ready in Jordan and Egypt, aid remains blocked due to Israel’s ongoing restrictions. The proposed ceasefire deal, which included a 60-day truce and the release of hostages and prisoners, failed to materialize due to disagreements over the terms of a lasting peace. Israel insists on maintaining a military presence in Gaza, while Hamas demands a complete end to hostilities. The lack of mutual trust has further complicated negotiations. France’s recognition of a Palestinian state adds diplomatic pressure on Israel, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, claiming it rewards terrorism. With no clear path forward, the prospects for a new ceasefire appear bleak, leaving Gaza’s population in dire straits.
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Inside the drugs factory: How captagon is fuelling the war in Sudan
Deep within an industrial wasteland on the eastern bank of the Nile, three inconspicuous, half-finished buildings stand surrounded by a minefield. For months, residents were warned by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters to avoid this walled compound. Inside, authorities discovered machinery and chemical products allegedly used to produce approximately 1,000 captagon pills per hour. This cheap, addictive amphetamine, popular among fighters and partygoers in the Middle East, has become a significant concern for Arab governments. The RSF reportedly distributes the drug to its fighters to enhance alertness and suppress hunger, while also selling it to civilians for profit. Until recently, Syria was the primary hub for captagon production. However, the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government disrupted the industry, leading to the shutdown of numerous laboratories and smuggling routes. Despite this, Sudan’s ongoing conflict has provided fresh opportunities for captagon production. Earlier this year, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) forced the RSF out of Khartoum and its surrounding areas, uncovering a captagon factory near the al-Jaili oil refinery in February. The facility contained five machines, two of which were operational at the time of discovery. Authorities also found pills bearing the double crescent symbol, a hallmark of illegal captagon production. The other machines were still in their packaging, suggesting the facility was in its early stages of operation. Shipping labels on the equipment indicated it was imported via a Dubai-based company, Amass Middle East Shipping Services, though the company did not respond to inquiries. The UAE has been accused of supplying arms to the RSF, though it denies these allegations. Experts noted the equipment’s similarity to that found in Syrian laboratories, raising concerns about a potential connection between Sudanese and Syrian criminal networks. The compound also contained hundreds of packets of white powder, labeled as veterinary supplements and electrolytes, though their contents remain under investigation. Sudanese police suspect the powder could be precursor materials for captagon production. The discovery of this factory follows earlier findings of captagon labs in Sudan, indicating a growing trend. Authorities are investigating whether the drug was being manufactured for export, given the lucrative Gulf market just across the Red Sea. The collapse of the Syrian captagon market has left a void, and Sudan appears to be filling it. Experts warn that the technical knowledge to produce captagon remains intact and could be redeployed elsewhere, posing a continued threat to regional security.
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Post-Assad Syria reeling in waves of ethnic violence
In July 2025, the southern Syrian province of Sweida became the epicenter of a deadly sectarian conflict between the Druze religious minority and Sunni Arabs, backed by government-affiliated forces. The clashes resulted in hundreds of casualties, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes in support of the Druze. This violence echoed the March 2025 massacres, where supporters of the former Assad regime targeted security units, leading to retaliatory killings of Alawites by militias aligned with the new Damascus government. Over 1,300 individuals, predominantly Alawites, were killed, with reports of entire families being executed. Despite government promises of investigations, extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, and home invasions persist, particularly against Alawites. The conflict underscores the deep-seated sectarian divisions in post-Assad Syria, where religious minorities like the Alawites and Druze face systemic marginalization and violence. While the new government seeks to project unity, its fractured control and the historical stigmatization of these groups continue to fuel instability. International efforts, including U.S.-brokered ceasefires and Israeli military support for the Druze, add further complexity to the region’s fragile political landscape.
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Massive Attack, Kneecap and others form musician alliance against ‘silencing’ by pro-Israel groups
British band Massive Attack has spearheaded a coalition of musicians to combat what they describe as intimidation by pro-Israel groups within the music industry. The alliance, named ‘Ethical Syndicate Palestine,’ includes prominent acts such as Kneecap, Brian Eno, and Garbage. This initiative follows the release of a documentary by campaign group Led By Donkeys, which exposes the activities of UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd (UKLFI), accused of silencing pro-Palestine advocacy. According to Led By Donkeys, UKLFI has publicly rejected international law and targeted artists supporting Palestine. In a statement on Instagram, Massive Attack condemned the intimidation of pro-Palestine artists, emphasizing the need to protect emerging musicians from such pressures. They urged those affected by UKLFI’s actions to join the alliance. The documentary also highlights concerns about the weaponization of antisemitism, arguing that it undermines genuine efforts to combat anti-Jewish racism. Recent months have seen several controversies involving pro-Palestine artists in the UK, including cancellations of performances and legal actions. Kneecap, for instance, faces charges under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert. The band denies the allegations, calling it ‘political policing.’ Meanwhile, artists like Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds have publicly shown support for Palestine, signaling a growing trend of musicians taking a stand against Israeli actions in Gaza.
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Thucydides trap averted: China speed, dodgy data and the Houthis
The 21st century has witnessed a seismic shift in global power dynamics, with China’s rapid ascent challenging traditional notions of military and economic dominance. The Thucydides Trap, a theory predicting inevitable conflict between a rising power and an established one, may have been averted due to China’s strategic maneuvers and the obsolescence of expeditionary navies. Recent events in the South China Sea, the Black Sea, and the Red Sea have demonstrated that traditional naval power is no longer the ultimate arbiter of global influence. China’s focus on building airstrips, missile sites, and naval bases in the South China Sea has extended its maritime security perimeter, while its anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) have rendered US carrier strike groups (CSGs) ineffective. The US Navy’s inability to respond decisively to challenges in the Red Sea and the South China Sea has exposed its limitations, leading to a reevaluation of alliances and strategies. Japan, South Korea, and other nations are increasingly realigning with China, recognizing its economic and technological prowess. China’s manufacturing sector, scientific output, and human capital pipeline have surpassed those of the US, solidifying its position as the established power. As nations adapt to this new reality, the speed of realignment will be astonishing, potentially benefiting all involved and allowing the US to focus on domestic recovery after decades of global hegemony.
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Europe a non-player as US, Israel set the tone on Iran
The United States’ decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, sent shockwaves across the globe, marking a stark departure from the Trump administration’s earlier diplomatic efforts to negotiate with Tehran over its nuclear program. This unprecedented military action, taken amidst the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict, has raised significant questions about the future of international diplomacy and nuclear nonproliferation. European governments, which have long advocated for a diplomatic resolution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, responded with surprising restraint. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz both expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense, while a joint statement from the E3 nations—France, the UK, and Germany—tacitly justified the US strikes as necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, the muted European reaction highlighted the continent’s diminished role in global diplomacy, particularly in contrast to its past leadership in negotiating the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The deal, which included the US, Russia, China, and the European Union, aimed to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 under President Trump, followed by the reimposition of heavy sanctions, severely undermined European efforts to maintain the deal and eroded Tehran’s trust in Europe as a reliable partner. Recent tensions, including Iran’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Europe’s backing of Israel in the Gaza conflict, have further strained relations. Europe’s internal divisions over Middle East policy and its reliance on US leadership have compounded its challenges in reasserting a meaningful role in nuclear negotiations. As transatlantic relations remain fraught under the Trump administration, Europe faces an uphill battle to restore its influence in addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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‘Come meet us in Dubai’: the new offshoring of grand corruption
In a revealing 2017 interview, an African high-net-worth individual recounted being advised by a London-based executive to relocate their business dealings to Dubai. This anecdote underscores a significant yet underappreciated global trend: the migration of sensitive financial activities from traditional Western hubs to more lenient jurisdictions. This shift, driven by stricter regulations on dubious foreign funds in established financial centers, has breathed new life into corrupt practices while complicating efforts to combat them.
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US OKs chip design software for China after a key minerals deal
In a significant development in US-China trade relations, the United States has lifted restrictions on the export of chip-making software to China, following China’s agreement to increase exports of key minerals to America. This decision, reported by Bloomberg, allows major Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software providers—Synopsys, Cadence, and Siemens—to resume operations in China, where they collectively dominate over 90% of the market. The move comes after a trade agreement signed on June 25, which was preceded by high-level meetings between US and Chinese officials in London earlier in June. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce confirmed that China would approve export applications for controlled items, while the US would reciprocate by lifting restrictive measures. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism about the increased flow of Chinese mineral and magnet exports, emphasizing the importance of rare earth magnets in the deal. Meanwhile, shares of China’s Empyrean Technology, a key chip-making software supplier for Huawei, fell by 3%, reflecting the competitive pressures in the domestic market. The trade agreement marks a de-escalation in tensions, though observers remain cautious about its long-term sustainability, given the US’s efforts to diversify its key mineral sources. Countries like India, Brazil, and Australia are emerging as alternative suppliers, potentially challenging China’s dominance in the rare earth sector. The deal underscores the complex interdependence between the two nations in critical technology and resource sectors, even as strategic competition persists.
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Japanese seafood imports conditionally resumed
China has announced the conditional resumption of seafood imports from select regions of Japan, effective immediately. The decision, disclosed by the Foreign Ministry on Monday, comes with stringent safeguards to ensure public health and food safety. Mao Ning, the ministry’s spokesperson, emphasized that the move aligns with Chinese laws, international trade regulations, and scientific assessments. However, China retains the authority to impose immediate restrictions should any risks emerge. The announcement follows the General Administration of Customs’ Sunday declaration, which outlined the resumption of imports from certain Japanese areas while maintaining a ban on products from 10 prefectures, including Fukushima. These regions remain excluded due to ongoing concerns over radioactive wastewater discharges from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which began in August 2023. China, previously the largest overseas market for Japanese seafood, had imposed a comprehensive ban following the wastewater release. Mao highlighted that Japan has agreed to international monitoring and independent sampling by China, pledging to ensure the safety of exported aquatic products. Despite the conditional resumption, China reiterated its opposition to Japan’s ocean discharge practices, underscoring the need for long-term risk management and international collaboration.