Will China be a lower US defence priority? A new strategy report will soon tell

Will China be a lower US defence priority? A new strategy report will soon tell

The Pentagon’s coming defence strategy report will contain major changes in the US’ plans to counter China’s military and economic strength, according to Chinese defence researchers. The new National Defence Strategy, a road map of defence priorities for each US president’s term, is expected to be released in the coming weeks. According to a Defence Department memo in May, the report will “prioritise defence of the US homeland, including America’s skies and borders, and deterring China in the...

‘Can I meet Eric?’: Prabowo’s hot mic moment amplifies private-public debate

‘Can I meet Eric?’: Prabowo’s hot mic moment amplifies private-public debate

The viral hot-mic moment in which Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was heard asking US President Donald Trump if he could meet his son Eric shortly after the Gaza ceasefire summit in Egypt has raised questions about Jakarta’s neutrality and its ties to the Trump family business. The offhand exchange has also sparked scrutiny of Prabowo’s diplomatic judgment and stirred debate about whether his Gaza diplomacy reflects national strategy or personal ambition. The brief conversation between the...

Hong Kong lawmakers gave nod to all government funding requests in 4-year term

Hong Kong lawmakers gave nod to all government funding requests in 4-year term

The Legislative Council’s Finance Committee approved all Hong Kong government funding applications over the four-year term, with its chairman on Tuesday defending lawmakers’ role in scrutinising the 261 projects worth nearly HK$700 billion (US$89.7 billion) in total. Committee chairman Ronick Chan Chun-ying also said that some government departments had failed to provide precise data requested by lawmakers during their scrutiny of the budget, urging authorities to step up data collection and...