South China Sea

FILE - In this July 9, 2018, file photo, an advertisement for Xiaomi is displayed at a subway station in Hong Kong. The U.S. government has blacklisted Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. and China’s third-largest national oil company for alleged military links, heaping pressure on Beijing in President Donald Trump’s last week in office. The Department of Defense added nine companies to its list of Chinese companies with military links, including Xiaomi and state-owned plane manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac). (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

US blacklists Xiaomi, CNOOC, Skyrizon, raising heat on China

Jan. 15, 2021 12:38 PM EST

HONG KONG (AP) — The U.S. government has blacklisted Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. and China’s third-largest national oil company for alleged military links, heaping pressure on Beijing in President Donald Trump’s last week in office. The Department of Defense added nine companies to...

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the National Press Club in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

US imposes new sanction on Beijing over South China Sea

Jan. 14, 2021 12:31 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday imposed new sanctions on Chinese officials over Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. The penalties are yet another Trump administration move that may make President-elect Joe Biden's diplomacy with China more difficult when he...

FILE - In this Tuesday, March 10, 2020, file photo, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross testifies before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Capitol Hill, in Washington. The Trump administration blacklisted China’s top chipmaker Friday, Dec. 18, limiting the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation’s (SMIC) access to advanced U.S. technology because of its alleged ties to the Chinese military. “We will not allow advanced U.S. technology to help build the military of an increasingly belligerent adversary,’’ Ross said. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

US blacklists top Chinese chipmaker, alleging military ties

Dec. 18, 2020 11:47 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration blacklisted China’s top chipmaker Friday, limiting the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.’s access to advanced U.S. technology because of its alleged ties to the Chinese military. “We will not allow advanced U.S. technology to...

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2020, file photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte talks with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines. Duterte has ruled out any cease-fire or resumption of long-stalled peace talks with communist guerrillas and renewed a vow to destroy the insurgents in his last two years in office. (Richard Madelo/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP, File)

US provides anti-bomb, snipers' equipment to Philippines

Dec. 8, 2020 10:49 AM EST

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The U.S. defense chief announced Tuesday the delivery of nearly $30 million worth of weapons to the Philippines, which faces threats from Islamic State group-linked militants. Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller made the announcement during a brief visit to Manila,...

U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien speaks during the turnover ceremony of defense articles at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City, Philippines Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. (Eloisa Lopez/Pool Photo via AP)

US provides missiles, renews pledge to defend Philippines

Nov. 23, 2020 5:28 AM EST

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration provided precision-guided missiles and other weapons to help the Philippines battle Islamic State group-aligned militants and renewed a pledge to defend its treaty ally if it comes under attack in the disputed South China Sea....

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, American flags are displayed together with Chinese flags on top of a trishaw in Beijing. On Friday, Nov., 13, 2020, China has become one of the last major governments to congratulate Joe Biden on being elected U.S. president. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

Trump aims to box in Biden abroad, but it may not work

Nov. 23, 2020 12:06 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — On its way out the door, the Trump administration is enacting new rules, regulations and orders that it hopes will box in President-elect Joe Biden's administration on numerous foreign policy matters and cement President Donald Trump’s “America First” legacy in...