Geopolitics

'Dear friends' Xi and Putin Meet in Moscow as Ukraine War Rages

Chinese President Xi Jinping met his “dear friend” Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, seeking both to deepen economic ties with an ally he sees as a useful counterweight to the West and to promote Beijing’s role as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine. Xi was the first leader to meet the Russian president since the […]

China to Create Powerful Financial Watchdog Run by Communist Party

China will set up a financial watchdog run by the Communist Party, state media reported on Thursday, as part of a broad reorganisation of governing bodies set to give the ruling party direct control and supervision over financial affairs. The creation of the Central Financial Commission will see the dissolution of the state-run Financial Stability […]

Putin Urges Business Leaders to Build New Russian Economy

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called on Russia’s billionaires and business elite to invest in new technology, production facilities and enterprises to help Russia overcome what he said were Western attempts to destroy its economy. Putin said Russia had so far defied those Western attempts, and that Western firms that had decided to stay in […]

Eyeing China, Biden and Allies Unveil Nuclear-Powered Submarine Plan for Australia

The United States, Australia and Britain unveiled details of a plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the early 2030s to counter China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. Addressing a ceremony at the U.S. naval base on Monday in San Diego, accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, […]

Saudi Aramco Reports record profit of $161.1 billion in 2022

Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco on Sunday reported a record annual net profit of $161.1 billion for 2022, up 46% from the previous year on higher energy prices, increased volumes sold and improved margins for refined products. The profits, which are around triple that of Exxon’s $56 billion, follow similar reports in February from international […]

US Set to Further Tighten Chipmaking Exports to China - Bloomberg News

The Biden administration is working to further tighten restrictions on exporting semiconductor manufacturing gear to China, Bloomberg News reported on Friday citing people familiar with the situation. The government has briefed U.S. companies about the plan and told them it expects to announce the restrictions as early as next month, the report said. The Biden […]