China denies it's working to rapidly expand its nuclear arsenal
Beijing says it's modernizing its nukes but denies U.S. claims of rapid expansion, and China won't discuss constraints unless U.S. and Russia "drastically reduce" arsenals.
Changing China
How green can Beijing's "green Olympics" really be?
China has promised a Winter Games to showcase its green credentials, but some call it "irresponsible" to hold an event reliant on snow and ice in a parched landscape.
One of Hong Kong's last pro-democracy news sites shut after police raid
The shuttering of Stand News followed a police raid and arrests. One activist said Hong Kong is now "little more than a police state."
China locks down city of 13 million in bid to curb COVID outbreaks
The restrictions in Xi'an come just weeks before the Winter Olympics and are some of the harshest China has imposed since it locked down Wuhan after the coronavirus was first detected there in 2019.
China's Peng Shuai appears in video denying sexual assault claim
Tennis star insists she "never said that I wrote that anyone sexually assaulted me," weeks after a social media post on her account claimed a Chinese official did just that.
Putin and Xi laud close ties amid mounting tension with the West
The leaders held a friendly video call hours after Russia threatened to "respond militarily" in its standoff with the U.S. and NATO over Ukraine.
Hong Kong convicts jailed pro-democracy activist of yet another crime
As China's crackdown on dissent continues, Amnesty International blasts conviction of Jimmy Lai, 2 others, "simply for their involvement in a peaceful, socially distanced vigil."
Chinese real estate giant Evergrande defaults on $1.2B in bonds
China is intervening to restructure the company floundering under an eye-watering $300 million in debt – part of a wider crisis with "global consequences."
Chinese tennis star calls Olympics chief amid fear for her safety
The IOC's account of Thomas Bach's call with Peng Shuai, even combined with other images of her over the weekend, may fail to convince the world she is really safe and well.
U.N. calls for proof of missing Chinese tennis star's "well-being"
China's Foreign Ministry claims it's "not aware" of global concerns over the disappearance of Peng Shuai following her online claim of sexual assault by a senior politician.
Blinken warns of "democratic recession" as he addresses Africa crises
3-nation visit is part of a long-delayed mission aimed, at part, in answering China's outreach to the continent, but it comes amid war in Ethiopia and a military takeover in Sudan.
Biden's 3.5-hour summit with Xi focuses on "managing strategic risks"
The wide-ranging discussion between the U.S. and Chinese leaders brought no major breakthroughs, but a "respectful" debate on contentious issues including Taiwan and human rights.
Biden to hold "candid" direct talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping
The virtual summit will be the most significant U.S.-China talks since Biden took office. It comes amid disputes on a range of issues and is intended to ensure that "competition doesn't lead to conflict."
China builds mock-ups of U.S. warships on apparent new target range
The independent U.S. Naval Institute says the dummy ships appear to include details like weapons systems and funnels. They're adding to concern over China's military ambitions.
Biden says U.S. has "commitment" to defend Taiwan if China attacks
The White House quickly walked back his remark, but amid questions over Washington's long-held policy of "strategic ambiguity," China warns the U.S. not to send "wrong signals."
China's reported hypersonic missile test "an important surprise"
Beijing insists it was just a routine test of a "space vehicle," not a test of a high-tech system that could put it ahead of the U.S. in the race to hypersonic weapons.
U.S. nuclear sub hit unknown "object" in South China Sea
The USS Connecticut's crew sustained only minor injuries and the sub is "safe and stable," but China is demanding "details" of the incident in the incredibly sensitive body of water.
Taiwan "very concerned" that China will "launch a war" to take over
Taiwan, a strategic U.S. ally claimed by Beijing as sovereign territory, says 145 Chinese military planes have violated its air defense zone in four days.
American siblings back home after 3 years trapped in China
Cynthia and Victor Liu were blocked from leaving the country by an unexplained "exit ban," until a Chinese tech executive wanted by the U.S. was released.
China says U.K. warship in Taiwan Strait shows "evil intentions"
Beijing has long complained about U.S. "freedom of navigation" passages through the disputed waterway. Now other countries are sailing the same route.
Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil leaders charged with subversion
The arrests, under Hong Kong's national security law, were the latest in Beijing's intensifying crackdown on dissent in the city.
Hong Kong arrests 4 pro-democracy leaders behind Tiananmen vigil
It's the latest major blow for the beleaguered pro-democracy movement in the Chinese city which, until recently, enjoyed a large degree of autonomy from Beijing.
What's behind China's new online gaming restrictions for kids?
Under-18s in China can now only game online for 3 hours per week, and while internet addiction is clearly a massive problem for many families, there's more to the crackdown than protecting kids.
Afghan withdrawal overshadows Harris' 1st Asia trip as vice president
Harris' visit to Singapore was meant to signal the U.S.' staunch commitment to regional partners in the face of a rising China, but chaos in Kabul is marring America's image as a reliable ally.
China's complex hopes and fears in the Taliban's Afghanistan
For China, the American withdrawal brings opportunities, but it's not all good news. There are risks, too.
World
U.S. soldier accused of spying linked to Russia arrested in the U.K.
3 Iran-backed operatives indicted for alleged role in terror plots
Jockey Izzy Neale, 22, dies after her horse falls during race
Meghan and Harry do first public event since her father's arrest
Congo court sentences 66 soldiers to death for cowardice, mutiny
Reported Iran threat sees U.S. move planes from second U.K. base
U.S. becoming first nation to refuse U.N. Human Rights Council review
No sign of progress as U.S.-Ukraine-Russia talks get underway
