China’s Shenzhou-23 astronauts blast off on space station mission
China’s Shenzhou-23 astronauts blast off on space station mission.

China’s Shenzhou-23 astronauts blast off on space station mission.







![Taiwanese soldiers pose with a Taiwanese flag near a Sky Sword II surface-to-air missile launcher and a military UAV during an annual military exercise ahead of Lunar New Year in Taichung, Taiwan on Jan. 27, 2026. [Ann Wang/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-1779476022.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

The US has reportedly paused a major arms deal with Taiwan, but Trump has said he may ‘speak’ to island’s leader.

As the US and Europe push to reduce reliance on China, Beijing tightens control over supply chains.
More than a dozen Chinese companies operate in Donetsk and Luhansk, according to a Ukrainian monitor.
From secret nuclear exchanges to a key diplomatic deal, Pakistan and China have long helped each other. What’s next?

Xi Jinping hosts Vladimir Putin a week after Donald Trump was in Beijing.

Just days after Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, Vladimir Putin arrived in China for a summit with Xi Jinping.
Analysts say Russia wants to replace lost gas revenue while China seeks to diversify and secure its energy supplies.
The Russian and Chinese leaders agreed on bilateral cooperation during Putin’s visit to China.

Will Trump kill $14bn Taiwan arms deal?

China’s Xi Jinping has welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing.