Russia and China call on the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is illegally jailed in New York after being kidnapped during an armed aggression against his country.

China has announced that the military exercises around Chinese Taipei are intended to stop foreign intervention.

China sees first expansion in manufacturing activity after eight-month slump.

The Chinese foreign ministry says Beijing firmly opposes any attempt to split territories in Somalia.

China has deployed air, navy, and rocket troops to the waters around Taiwan for drills aimed at testing combat readiness and delivering a “stern warning” to external forces and separatists.

Beijing has imposed sanctions on 20 US defense-related companies and 10 executives, following Washington's announcement of large-scale arms sales to Taiwan.

Japan approves record 9.04 trillion yen ($58 billion) defense budget amid rising tensions with China.