Chinese officials look to limit social media and screen time in China

Washington — While some youth in China admit to spending an excessive amount of time on the internet, many are skeptical about new government proposals aimed at regulating the time young Chinese spend online and on social media sites.

In conversations at Chinas annual political meetings that wrapped up in Beijing this week, retired international basketball star Yao Ming, called for some limits on intern...

Exclusive: Second Iranian ship suspected of carrying missile ingredient leaves China

WASHINGTON — A second Iranian ship that Western news reports have named as part of a scheme to import a missile propellant ingredient from China is heading to Iran with a major cargo load, an exclusive VOA analysis has found. Ship-tracking websites show the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Jairan departed China on Monday, a month later than the expected departure cited by one of the news reports.

The Jairan wa...

Russian foreign minister exaggerates Russia-China relations, ignores nuances

Relations between Russia and China are indeed closer than at any point since the 1950s, but they are shaped more by pragmatism, economic necessity and shared opposition to Western influence than by deep trust or historical affinity.

VOA Mandarin: China revises PLA regulations prioritizing war readiness

Three revised regulations that dictate everything from the Chinese militarys broad mandate to soldiers day-to-day life are slated to take effect on April 1. The revisions have placed an emphasis on the PLAs combat readiness and wartime conduct, the latter of which appears 49 times. Analysts say the revised regulations show the priority of the PLAs future reform and its challenges.

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The story of Chinese Americans who call Texas home

The state of Texas has the third-largest Asian American population in the United States, according to the U.S. census, and Chinese people, some whose families arrived more than 150 years ago, make up the largest group.

Chinese Americans trace back for generations in the Lone Star State. Their story may not be as well known as that of their counterparts in California or New York City, but it is just as inte...

Taiwan president warns of China's 'infiltration' effort

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that China has deepened its influence campaigns and infiltration against the democratic island, pledging measures to tackle Beijings efforts to absorb Taiwan.

Taiwan has accused China of stepping up military drills, trade sanctions and influence campaigns against the island in recent years to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty cl...

China accuses New Zealand's top spy of spreading 'false information'

BEIJING — Chinas embassy in New Zealand on Thursday accused Wellingtons top spy of lying after the intelligence chief warned of security risks posed by Beijings growing influence in the Pacific.

In a speech in Wellington last week, New Zealands Security Intelligence Service Director-General Andrew Hampton said the focus of Pacific nations on economic and transnational crime issues had opened the door for...

Japan eyes boosting rice exports eightfold by 2030

TOKYO — Japan wants to boost its rice exports almost eightfold by 2030, a ministry official said Thursday, despite currently suffering a domestic shortage of the grain.

The countrys rice consumption has more than halved over the past 60 years as diets have expanded to include more bread, noodles and other energy sources.

The new target is part of a long-term national policy to boost overseas shipm...

Advocates for jailed publisher Lai turn to Trump administration

WASHINGTON — The son of imprisoned pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai this week brought the campaign to secure his fathers release to the Trump administration in Washington.

Nearly two months into President Donald Trumps second term, Lais son Sebastien and their international legal team were in Washington this week to meet with Trump administration officials and lawmakers in hopes that the United States c...

VOA Mandarin: China, Walmart discuss response to US tariffs

Chinas Commerce Ministry reportedly held talks with Walmart on Tuesday after the U.S. retail giant had requested a 10% price cut from its Chinese suppliers to offset U.S. tariff costs, state media CCTV said. The report added that the ministry is believed to have expressed concern over Walmarts unfair practice, which it believes may create the risk of supply chain disruption and harm the interests of Chinese and Am...

VOA Mandarin: About 12 million graduates to join China's shrinking job market

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — About 12.2 million college graduates are expected to enter Chinas shrinking labor market this summer, Wang Xiaoping, minister of the Human Resources and Social Security Ministry told the countrys National Peoples Congress Sunday. It is believed that the Chinese government will encourage young people to accept gig work or vocational trainings so as not to hike up the youth unemployment rate.

China, Iran, Russia hold joint naval drills in Middle East

TEHRAN, IRAN — China, Iran and Russia conducted joint naval drills Tuesday in the Middle East, offering a show of force in a region still uneasy over Tehrans rapidly expanding nuclear program and as Yemens Houthi rebels threaten new attacks on ships.

The joint drills, called the Maritime Security Belt 2025, took place in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persia...

ICC takes custody of Philippine ex-president Duterte in crimes against humanity case

THE HAGUE — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was turned over Wednesday to the custody of the International Criminal Court, following his arrest on a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office.

The court said in a statement that as a precautionary measure medical assistance was made available at the airport for Duterte, in line...

Vietnam, Singapore agree to boost ties, cooperation on subsea cables

HANOI, VIETNAM — Singapore and Vietnam on Wednesday agreed to enhance cooperation in subsea cables, finance, and energy, marking an upgrade in their relations to Vietnams highest level, during a visit by its Communist Party Chief To Lam to the city-state.

Singapore is the third Southeast Asian nation, after Malaysia and Indonesia, with which Vietnam has established a comprehensive strategic relationship....

China boosting development of AI for use in trade war with US

NEW DELHI — Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception to its DeepSeek artificial intelligence platform in January, Chinas leaders are going all out to encourage AI companies to harness the power of this technology to compete with the United States and other countries in business and military spheres.

China considers AI an important tool to handle U.S. restrictions on Chinese business, particularly after D...