The ninth India-China Financial Dialogue held here on Wednesday saw the two countries exchanged views on macroeconomic situation and policy, cooperation in multilateral framework and discussed bilateral investment and financial cooperation.

An official release said the two sides expressed commitment to promote a favorable environment to enable continuous growth of bilateral trade and investment and strengthen their efforts to promote a more balanced and healthier development of trade and economic cooperation.

A high-level Chinese delegation led by Zou Jiayi, Vice Minister, Ministry of Finance, People's Republic of China interacted with the Indian delegation led by Atanu Chakraborty, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.

The release said that India and China's bilateral relationship has entered into a new era after the historic informal summit between Prime Minister of India and China's President held in Wuhan in April 2018.

The India-China Financial Dialogue is a mechanism between the two countries to promote cooperation in the financial sector.

&nbsp;A joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the dialogue reflecting the mutual understanding and shared vision of both the countries to further strengthen cooperation in the financial sector.

The next round of India-China Financial Dialogue will be held in China.

The ninth India-China Financial Dialogue held here on Wednesday saw the two countries exchanged views on macroeconomic situation and policy, cooperation in multilateral framework and discussed bilateral investment and financial cooperation.

The ninth India-China Financial Dialogue held here on Wednesday saw the two countries exchanged views on macroeconomic situation and policy, cooperation in multilateral framework and discussed bilateral investment and financial cooperation. An official release said the two sides expressed commitment to promote a favorable environment to enable continuous growth of bilateral trade and investment and strengthen their efforts to promote a more balanced and healthier development of trade and economic cooperation. A high-level Chinese delegation led by Zou Jiayi, Vice Minister, Ministry of Finance, People's Republic of China interacted with the Indian delegation led by Atanu Chakraborty, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs. The release said that India and China's bilateral relationship has entered into a new era after the historic informal summit between Prime Minister of India and China's President held in Wuhan in April 2018. The India-China Financial Dialogue is a mechanism between the two countries to promote cooperation in the financial sector. A joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the dialogue reflecting the mutual understanding and shared vision of both the countries to further strengthen cooperation in the financial sector. The next round of India-China Financial Dialogue will be held in China.

India, China discuss bilateral investment at financial dialogue meeting

China will put on a massive parade of its most advanced weapons next week in a display of its indigenous military capabilities to commemorate its National Day, the Defence Ministry has said.

The People's Republic of China is celebrating 70 years of its founding on October 1 and the parade, the largest ever to be staged, will take place in the heart of Beijing, The Strait Times reported.

The Defence Ministry, in a press briefing on Tuesday, divulged more details about the show of military technology, pointing out that the weapons on display would be "made in China" and already in service.

"They will include some new types of weapons in use in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-troops-have-training-for-national-day-parade-in-beijing-251979">Chinese military</a>, they will reflect China's ability to independently research and develop weapon systems," said Major-General Tan Min, executive deputy director of the military parade joint command office.

About 15,000 military personnel, 160 aircraft and 580 different pieces of military hardware would be showcased in the 80-minute long parade, the Defence Ministry said.

For the past three weekends, during full dress rehearsals, tanks and other military hardware were seen rolling down Chang'an Avenue, the main boulevard that passes through the centre of the capital.

Military observers are watching closely the hardware that China will trot out on October 1 for signs of how the country's military is developing.

China has embarked on reforming its armed forces in recent years in an effort to turn the People's Liberation Army into a modern fighting force, a strong military is a key part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's "Chinese dream".

Ahead of the few days before the grand celebrations, the environment ministry further warned in a statement published on late Monday that adverse weather conditions are expected to lead to heavy smog building up around Beijing over the next two weeks.

It urged local governments to pay close attention to smog and take action to reduce emissions.

China will put on a massive parade of its most advanced weapons next week in a display of its indigenous military capabilities to commemorate its National Day, the Defence Ministry has said.

China will put on a massive parade of its most advanced weapons next week in a display of its indigenous military capabilities to commemorate its National Day, the Defence Ministry has said. The People's Republic of China is celebrating 70 years of its founding on October 1 and the parade, the largest ever to be staged, will take place in the heart of Beijing, The Strait Times reported. The Defence Ministry, in a press briefing on Tuesday, divulged more details about the show of military technology, pointing out that the weapons on display would be "made in China" and already in service. "They will include some new types of weapons in use in the Chinese military, they will reflect China's ability to independently research and develop weapon systems," said Major-General Tan Min, executive deputy director of the military parade joint command office. About 15,000 military personnel, 160 aircraft and 580 different pieces of military hardware would be showcased in the 80-minute long parade, the Defence Ministry said. For the past three weekends, during full dress rehearsals, tanks and other military hardware were seen rolling down Chang'an Avenue, the main boulevard that passes through the centre of the capital. Military observers are watching closely the hardware that China will trot out on October 1 for signs of how the country's military is developing. China has embarked on reforming its armed forces in recent years in an effort to turn the People's Liberation Army into a modern fighting force, a strong military is a key part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's "Chinese dream". Ahead of the few days before the grand celebrations, the environment ministry further warned in a statement published on late Monday that adverse weather conditions are expected to lead to heavy smog building up around Beijing over the next two weeks. It urged local governments to pay close attention to smog and take action to reduce emissions.

China to conduct giant military parade on October 1 to celebrate National Day

China to test journalists, Xi controls media narrative in China. Watch this video to know more.

China to test journalists, Xi controls media narrative in China

The family of former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe have agreed to bury him at a monument for national heroes in Harare, a family spokesman said on Friday though the date for the ceremony was still unclear.

Mugabe died in Singapore last week aged 95, leaving Zimbabweans torn over the legacy of a leader once lauded as an anti-colonial guerrilla hero, but whose 37-year iron-fisted rule ended in a coup in 2017.&nbsp;

His family and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe ally who turned against him, had been at odds over where he would be buried after his body returned home on Wednesday.

"Yes I can confirm," Leo Mugabe told reporters when asked whether the family had agreed to a burial in National Heroes Acre in Harare.

He said the traditional chiefs in Mugabe's homestead had made that decision.

"They have now pronounced their position so if they have pronounced that the burial will be at the Heroes Acre that means that we now have to wait for the details... whether it will be a private burial or a public one."

Tensions erupted after Mnangagwa's government proposed a burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare while the family said he would be buried at a private ceremony, possibly in his homestead of Kutama, northwest of the capital.

The former leader had been travelling to Singapore regularly for medical treatment but allies say his health deteriorated rapidly after his ouster. Mugabe's body arrived from Singapore on Wednesday at Harare airport.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Cuban former leader Raul Castro and a dozen African presidents, including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, are among those expected to attend Mugabe's state funeral on Saturday in Harare.

The family of former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe have agreed to bury him at a monument for national heroes in Harare, a family spokesman said on Friday though the date for the ceremony was still unclear.

The family of former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe have agreed to bury him at a monument for national heroes in Harare, a family spokesman said on Friday though the date for the ceremony was still unclear. Mugabe died in Singapore last week aged 95, leaving Zimbabweans torn over the legacy of a leader once lauded as an anti-colonial guerrilla hero, but whose 37-year iron-fisted rule ended in a coup in 2017. His family and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe ally who turned against him, had been at odds over where he would be buried after his body returned home on Wednesday. "Yes I can confirm," Leo Mugabe told reporters when asked whether the family had agreed to a burial in National Heroes Acre in Harare. He said the traditional chiefs in Mugabe's homestead had made that decision. "They have now pronounced their position so if they have pronounced that the burial will be at the Heroes Acre that means that we now have to wait for the details... whether it will be a private burial or a public one." Tensions erupted after Mnangagwa's government proposed a burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare while the family said he would be buried at a private ceremony, possibly in his homestead of Kutama, northwest of the capital. The former leader had been travelling to Singapore regularly for medical treatment but allies say his health deteriorated rapidly after his ouster. Mugabe's body arrived from Singapore on Wednesday at Harare airport. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Cuban former leader Raul Castro and a dozen African presidents, including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, are among those expected to attend Mugabe's state funeral on Saturday in Harare.

Robert Mugabe's family agree to burial in 'heroes' monument

Hong Kong protesters plan to block one of the world's busiest airports on Saturday after a night of violence in which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-in-beijing-says-hong-kong-freedoms-must-be-guaranteed-248048">police used tear gas and rubber bullets</a> to break up crowds, the latest clashes in 14 weeks of unrest in the Chinese-ruled city.

Hundreds of demonstrators, many masked and dressed in black, attacked metro stations on Kowloon peninsula on Friday night, targeted because of televised scenes of police beating protesters on a metro train on Aug. 31 as they cowered on the floor.

Activists tore down signs, broke turnstiles, set fires on the street and daubed graffiti on the walls on Friday.

"The behaviour was outrageous," the government said in a statement.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced concessions this week to try to end the protests, including formally scrapping a hugely unpopular extradition bill, but many said they were too little, too late.

The bill would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, despite Hong Kong having an independent judiciary dating back to British colonial rule.

Watch: Exposing China's lies on Hong Kong

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But the demonstrations, which began in June, have long since broadened into calls for more democracy and many protesters have pledged to fight on.

Demonstrations have at times paralysed parts of the city, a major Asian financial hub, amid running street battles between protesters and police who have responded with tear gas, pepper spray and water cannon. Violent arrests of protesters have drawn international attention.

Saturday's planned demonstrations include yet another "stress test" of the airport aiming to disrupt transport links to Chek Lap Kok, built in the dying days of British rule on reclaimed land around a tiny island of the same name and reached by a series of gleaming bridges.

The airport announced that only passengers with tickets would be allowed to use the Airport Express train service on Saturday, boarding in downtown Hong Kong. The train would not stop en route, on the Kowloon peninsula. Bus services could also be hit, it said.

The measures are aimed at avoiding the chaos of last weekend, when protesters blocked airport approach roads, threw debris on the train track and trashed the MTR subway station in the nearby new town of Tung Chung in running clashes with police.

Protesters also occupied the arrival hall last month, halting and delaying flights, amid a series of clashes with police.

Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 under the "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland. Many Hong Kong residents fear Beijing is eroding that autonomy.

China denies the accusation of meddling and says Hong Kong is its internal affair. It has denounced the protests, warning of the damage to the economy and the possible use of force to quell the unrest.

In addition to calling for a withdrawal of the extradition bill and the release of those arrested for violence, protesters want an independent inquiry into perceived police brutality, retraction of the word "riot" to describe rallies and the right for Hong Kong people to choose their own leaders.

The protests have presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with his greatest popular challenge since he came to power in 2012.

Hong Kong protesters plan to block one of the world's busiest airports on Saturday after a night of violence in which police used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up crowds, the latest clashes in 14 weeks of unrest in the Chinese-ruled city.

Hong Kong protesters plan to block one of the world's busiest airports on Saturday after a night of violence in which police used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up crowds, the latest clashes in 14 weeks of unrest in the Chinese-ruled city. Hundreds of demonstrators, many masked and dressed in black, attacked metro stations on Kowloon peninsula on Friday night, targeted because of televised scenes of police beating protesters on a metro train on Aug. 31 as they cowered on the floor. Activists tore down signs, broke turnstiles, set fires on the street and daubed graffiti on the walls on Friday. "The behaviour was outrageous," the government said in a statement. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced concessions this week to try to end the protests, including formally scrapping a hugely unpopular extradition bill, but many said they were too little, too late. The bill would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, despite Hong Kong having an independent judiciary dating back to British colonial rule. Watch: Exposing China's lies on Hong Kong × But the demonstrations, which began in June, have long since broadened into calls for more democracy and many protesters have pledged to fight on. Demonstrations have at times paralysed parts of the city, a major Asian financial hub, amid running street battles between protesters and police who have responded with tear gas, pepper spray and water cannon. Violent arrests of protesters have drawn international attention. Saturday's planned demonstrations include yet another "stress test" of the airport aiming to disrupt transport links to Chek Lap Kok, built in the dying days of British rule on reclaimed land around a tiny island of the same name and reached by a series of gleaming bridges. The airport announced that only passengers with tickets would be allowed to use the Airport Express train service on Saturday, boarding in downtown Hong Kong. The train would not stop en route, on the Kowloon peninsula. Bus services could also be hit, it said. The measures are aimed at avoiding the chaos of last weekend, when protesters blocked airport approach roads, threw debris on the train track and trashed the MTR subway station in the nearby new town of Tung Chung in running clashes with police. Protesters also occupied the arrival hall last month, halting and delaying flights, amid a series of clashes with police. Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 under the "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland. Many Hong Kong residents fear Beijing is eroding that autonomy. China denies the accusation of meddling and says Hong Kong is its internal affair. It has denounced the protests, warning of the damage to the economy and the possible use of force to quell the unrest. In addition to calling for a withdrawal of the extradition bill and the release of those arrested for violence, protesters want an independent inquiry into perceived police brutality, retraction of the word "riot" to describe rallies and the right for Hong Kong people to choose their own leaders. The protests have presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with his greatest popular challenge since he came to power in 2012.

Hong Kong protests to target airport after night of violence

Hong Kong is a long way from having to declare emergency powers or to ask the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-crisis-china-rejected-hong-kong-plan-to-appease-protesters-report-246541">Chinese military to intervene</a>, a senior official with China's parliament and pro-Beijing Hong Kong politician told Reuters, as months of protests show no sign of abating.

Hong Kong has been engulfed in angry and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-pro-democracy-activist-joshua-wong-arrested-party-says-246501"> sometimes violent protests</a> against the government since mid-June, sparked by a now-suspended extradition bill and concerns that Beijing was trying to bring the territory under greater mainland control.

Police fired water cannon and tear gas at anti-government demonstrators on Sunday, and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned later that authorities would be forced to stamp down on the escalating violence.

Maria Tam, deputy director of the Chinese parliament's Basic Law Committee, told Reuters in Beijing late on Thursday emergency legislation was not something for which Hong Kong's government would have to ask Beijing's permission.

"The emergency legislation is something that is left behind by the colonial British government. It's nothing to do with the Basic Law. It's entirely in the power of the highly autonomous region," Tam said, referring to the mini-constitution under which Hong Kong has been ruled since the 1997 return to China.

"At the moment there are still plenty of tools. We have different articles in the police force ordinance and articles in the public order ordinance which we can still invoke to control the situation. We haven't got to the stage when we really have to engage in enacted laws by the chief executive with the executive council to, for example, enact anti-mask or interception of internet messages. We're quite a distance from that," she said.

However, there may come a stage when Hong Kong has to do this, Tam said.

"I think if its come to the stage when all the other ordinances I have mentioned have failed to work, then I suppose the chief executive may have to consider it," she said.

Troop rotation

The Basic Law enshrines rights and freedoms - including freedom of speech, assembly and an independent judiciary - inherent in the "one country, two systems" formula that underpinned the agreement between Beijing and London.

Those freedoms remain far greater than those that exist on the mainland, where the Communist Party ultimately controls many aspects of society, including the media and the courts.

China rotated troops in its People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong on Thursday, days before protesters planned to hold a march calling for full democracy in the Asian financial hub. [nL3N25P0EH]

Chinese state media described the troop movement as routine and Asian and Western diplomats watching PLA movements in the former British colony had been expecting it.

Tam said, under Article 14 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong government can make a request for the Chinese military in the event of natural disaster or extreme cases of disorder.

Any request would have to go first to China's Cabinet and then to the Guangzhou military command that is in charge of the Hong Kong garrison, she said.

However, Tam said she did not think Hong Kong had reached that stage yet. "Oh no, no, we are a long way from that."

The central government in Beijing has repeatedly expressed support for Lam and her administration, a message Tam said she had gotten from officials in the capital.

"I'm not important enough to see President Xi, but I have seen some senior government officials consistently saying, 'yes, (we) support Carrie Lam'," she said.

"There's one more question that I will ask you - who will replace her? She should carry on and put right whatever has gone wrong," Tam said.

Pressed on whether Lam would be replaced, she said that was not likely. "I don't see it happening."

Hong Kong is a long way from having to declare emergency powers or to ask the Chinese military to intervene, a senior official with China's parliament and pro-Beijing Hong Kong politician told Reuters, as months of protests show no sign of abating.

Hong Kong is a long way from having to declare emergency powers or to ask the Chinese military to intervene, a senior official with China's parliament and pro-Beijing Hong Kong politician told Reuters, as months of protests show no sign of abating. Hong Kong has been engulfed in angry and sometimes violent protests against the government since mid-June, sparked by a now-suspended extradition bill and concerns that Beijing was trying to bring the territory under greater mainland control. Police fired water cannon and tear gas at anti-government demonstrators on Sunday, and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned later that authorities would be forced to stamp down on the escalating violence. Maria Tam, deputy director of the Chinese parliament's Basic Law Committee, told Reuters in Beijing late on Thursday emergency legislation was not something for which Hong Kong's government would have to ask Beijing's permission. "The emergency legislation is something that is left behind by the colonial British government. It's nothing to do with the Basic Law. It's entirely in the power of the highly autonomous region," Tam said, referring to the mini-constitution under which Hong Kong has been ruled since the 1997 return to China. "At the moment there are still plenty of tools. We have different articles in the police force ordinance and articles in the public order ordinance which we can still invoke to control the situation. We haven't got to the stage when we really have to engage in enacted laws by the chief executive with the executive council to, for example, enact anti-mask or interception of internet messages. We're quite a distance from that," she said. However, there may come a stage when Hong Kong has to do this, Tam said. "I think if its come to the stage when all the other ordinances I have mentioned have failed to work, then I suppose the chief executive may have to consider it," she said. Troop rotation The Basic Law enshrines rights and freedoms - including freedom of speech, assembly and an independent judiciary - inherent in the "one country, two systems" formula that underpinned the agreement between Beijing and London. Those freedoms remain far greater than those that exist on the mainland, where the Communist Party ultimately controls many aspects of society, including the media and the courts. China rotated troops in its People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong on Thursday, days before protesters planned to hold a march calling for full democracy in the Asian financial hub. [nL3N25P0EH] Chinese state media described the troop movement as routine and Asian and Western diplomats watching PLA movements in the former British colony had been expecting it. Tam said, under Article 14 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong government can make a request for the Chinese military in the event of natural disaster or extreme cases of disorder. Any request would have to go first to China's Cabinet and then to the Guangzhou military command that is in charge of the Hong Kong garrison, she said. However, Tam said she did not think Hong Kong had reached that stage yet. "Oh no, no, we are a long way from that." The central government in Beijing has repeatedly expressed support for Lam and her administration, a message Tam said she had gotten from officials in the capital. "I'm not important enough to see President Xi, but I have seen some senior government officials consistently saying, 'yes, (we) support Carrie Lam'," she said. "There's one more question that I will ask you - who will replace her? She should carry on and put right whatever has gone wrong," Tam said. Pressed on whether Lam would be replaced, she said that was not likely. "I don't see it happening."

No need yet for Hong Kong to use emergency powers: Senior parliamentary official

China is willing to resolve its trade dispute with the United States through "calm" negotiations and resolutely opposes the escalation of the conflict, Vice Premier Liu He, who has been leading the talks with Washington, said on Monday.

China is willing to resolve its trade dispute with the United States through "calm" negotiations and resolutely opposes the escalation of the conflict, Vice Premier Liu He, who has been leading the talks with Washington, said on Monday. The increasingly bitter trade war between the world's two largest economies sharply escalated on Friday, with both sides levelling more tariffs on each other's exports. US President Donald Trump announced an additional duty on some $550 billion of targeted Chinese goods on Friday, hours after China unveiled retaliatory tariffs on $75 billion worth of US goods. However, Trump appeared on Sunday to back off on his threat to order US companies out of China. Liu, speaking at a tech conference in southwest China's Chongqing, said nobody benefited from a trade war. "We are willing to resolve the issue through consultations and cooperation in a calm attitude and resolutely oppose the escalation of the trade war," Liu, who is President Xi Jinping's top economic adviser, said, according to a government transcript. "We believe that the escalation of the trade war is not beneficial for China, the United States, nor to the interests of the people of the world," he added. US companies are especially welcome in China, and will be treated well, Liu said. "We welcome enterprises from all over the world, including the United States, to invest and operate in China," he added. "We will continue to create a good investment environment, protect intellectual property rights, promote the development of smart intelligent industries with our market open, resolutely oppose technological blockades and protectionism, and strive to protect the completeness of the supply chain." It was not clear exactly how Trump could get US companies to leave China. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Trump could order companies out of China under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act if he declared a national emergency. The trade war has damaged global growth, upset allies, and raised market fears that the world economy will tip into a recession. Global stock markets reeled on Monday after the latest measures, while China's yuan currency fell to a fresh 11-year low. Investors streamed into the safe harbours of sovereign bonds and gold. Chinese state media on Monday blasted the United States. The official China Daily said in an editorial that Washington would "never be allowed to control China's fate". "It has become unquestionably clear that his administration's tariff war against China is politically motivated. What Washington wants from its largest trade partner is for it to be content to play second fiddle and meekly do as it demands," the English-language paper wrote in an editorial. "Washington has again taken the initiative to escalate the fight in the hope that Beijing will throw in the sponge as early as possible. But Beijing regards the trade war as an unavoidable trial by fire, from which the country will emerge stronger." The Global Times, a widely-read tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, said leaving the Chinese market would be "suicide" for US companies, especially for auto firms. "US companies are welcome to invest and operate in the Chinese market, but if some US companies want to obey Trump's order and join Washington's trade war, the result is bleak. A decision to give up the Chinese market is just suicide," the paper said in its editorial.

China says wants 'calm' resolution to US trade war

Hong Kong police said on Monday they arrested 36 people, the youngest aged 12, after violence during anti-government demonstrations escalated as protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at security forces who responded with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/battered-hong-kong-faces-economic-recession-existential-crisis-245602">water cannon and tear gas</a>.

Sunday's protests saw some of the fiercest clashes yet between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-briefly-turn-water-cannon-on-protesters-fire-tear-gas-245531">police and demonstrators</a> since protests escalated in mid-June over a now-suspended extradition bill that would have allowed Hong Kong people to be sent to mainland China for trial.

Police fired water cannon and volleys of tear gas in running battles with brick-throwing protesters on Sunday, the second day of violent clashes in the Chinese-ruled city.

Six officers drew their pistols and one officer fired a warning shot into the air, police said in a statement.

"The escalating illegal and violent acts of radical protesters are not only outrageous, but they also push Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous situation," the government said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/battered-hong-kong-faces-economic-recession-existential-crisis-245602">More demonstrations are planned</a> in the days and weeks ahead, including a rally at Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways headquarters on Wednesday to protest against perceived "white terror", a common expression to describe anonymous acts that create a climate of fear.

Watch video

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Cathay has emerged as the biggest corporate casualty of the protests after China demanded it suspend staff involved in, or who support, the anti-government demonstrations that have plunged the former British colony into a political crisis.

The protests also pose the gravest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he took power in 2012, with Beijing eager to quell the unrest ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1.

Protesters once again adopted cat-and-mouse tactics on Sunday evening, moving swiftly to locations across the former British colony, where they set up barricades to block some roads, following a largely peaceful rally earlier in the day.

Police said they arrested 29 men and seven women, aged 12 to 48, for offences including unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapons and assaulting police officers.

The clashes on Saturday and Sunday marked a return to unrest after days of calmer demonstrations. The protests, which escalated in June over a now-suspended extradition bill, have rocked Hong Kong for three months, occasionally causing serious disruption including forcing the closure of the airport.

The city, a major Asian financial centre, is facing its biggest political crisis since the handover of power from British rule in 1997.

Protesters say they are fighting the erosion of the "one country, two systems" arrangement under which Hong Kong returned to China with the promise of continued freedoms, not enjoyed on the mainland, for 50 years.

The protests are taking a toll on the semi-autonomous Chinese city, where hotels and restaurants are half-empty and several global events have been postponed.

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index dropped more than 3% early on Monday, outpacing falls in regional markets, as the latest salvo in the Sino-U.S. trade war rattled investors.

Hong Kong police said on Monday they arrested 36 people, the youngest aged 12, after violence during anti-government demonstrations escalated as protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at security forces who responded with water cannon and tear gas.

Hong Kong police said on Monday they arrested 36 people, the youngest aged 12, after violence during anti-government demonstrations escalated as protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at security forces who responded with water cannon and tear gas. Sunday's protests saw some of the fiercest clashes yet between police and demonstrators since protests escalated in mid-June over a now-suspended extradition bill that would have allowed Hong Kong people to be sent to mainland China for trial. Police fired water cannon and volleys of tear gas in running battles with brick-throwing protesters on Sunday, the second day of violent clashes in the Chinese-ruled city. Six officers drew their pistols and one officer fired a warning shot into the air, police said in a statement. "The escalating illegal and violent acts of radical protesters are not only outrageous, but they also push Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous situation," the government said in a statement. More demonstrations are planned in the days and weeks ahead, including a rally at Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways headquarters on Wednesday to protest against perceived "white terror", a common expression to describe anonymous acts that create a climate of fear. Watch video × Cathay has emerged as the biggest corporate casualty of the protests after China demanded it suspend staff involved in, or who support, the anti-government demonstrations that have plunged the former British colony into a political crisis. The protests also pose the gravest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he took power in 2012, with Beijing eager to quell the unrest ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1. Protesters once again adopted cat-and-mouse tactics on Sunday evening, moving swiftly to locations across the former British colony, where they set up barricades to block some roads, following a largely peaceful rally earlier in the day. Police said they arrested 29 men and seven women, aged 12 to 48, for offences including unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapons and assaulting police officers. The clashes on Saturday and Sunday marked a return to unrest after days of calmer demonstrations. The protests, which escalated in June over a now-suspended extradition bill, have rocked Hong Kong for three months, occasionally causing serious disruption including forcing the closure of the airport. The city, a major Asian financial centre, is facing its biggest political crisis since the handover of power from British rule in 1997. Protesters say they are fighting the erosion of the "one country, two systems" arrangement under which Hong Kong returned to China with the promise of continued freedoms, not enjoyed on the mainland, for 50 years. The protests are taking a toll on the semi-autonomous Chinese city, where hotels and restaurants are half-empty and several global events have been postponed. Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index dropped more than 3% early on Monday, outpacing falls in regional markets, as the latest salvo in the Sino-U.S. trade war rattled investors.

Hong Kong police arrest 36, youngest aged 12, after running battles with protesters

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday lashed back at a new round of Chinese tariffs by heaping an additional 5% duty on some $550 billion in targeted Chinese goods in the latest tit-for-tat trade war escalation by the world’s two largest economies.

Trump slaps new tariffs on China, Additional 5% Tariff On Chinese Imports

Gold&nbsp;surged&nbsp;2 per cent on&nbsp;Friday as investors interpreted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-eke-out-small-gains-ahead-of-federal-reserve-chair-jerome-powell-speech-244921">US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome&nbsp;Powell</a>'s&nbsp;speech&nbsp;as leaning toward a dovish monetary policy stance and President Donald&nbsp;Trump's latest comments exacerbated trade tensions with China.

Spot&nbsp;gold&nbsp;rose 1.9per cent at $1,526.60 an ounce by 14:08 pm EDT (1801 GMT), shaking off slight headwinds ahead of the Fed Chair's&nbsp;speech.

Prices earlier rose to $1,528.79, the highest since August&nbsp;13, when spot&nbsp;gold&nbsp;had scaled a six-year peak of $1,534.31.

US&nbsp;gold&nbsp;futures settled up 1.9per cent to $1,537.60.

"The fact that he (Powell) said that they (the Fed) will act appropriately to sustain expansion is pretty bullish for&nbsp;gold. The two primary tools they have are quantitative easing (QE) or lower rates - both those tools will cause&nbsp;gold&nbsp;to go higher," said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

"The move this morning is just more people buying&nbsp;gold&nbsp;simply with the expectations that interest rates will be lower by year-end."

Powell&nbsp;said the US economy is in a "favourable place," but gave few clues about interest rate cuts at its next meeting.

However, he listed a series of economic and geopolitical risks the Fed is monitoring, noting these were linked to the trade spat.

"We shouldn't be surprised if we see the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/fedex-offers-cautious-2020-outlook-as-ceo-slams-united-states-china-on-trade-230487">Fed deliver a full percentage point</a> in rate cuts over the next 12 months and a new QE program as we may only need a couple of the following macro events to blow up: trade uncertainties, weakness in China and Germany, Brexit, Hong Kong, and the dissolution of the Italian government," Edward Moya, a senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note.

Powell's&nbsp;speech&nbsp;prompted a backlash from&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;on Twitter, asking whether the Fed chair was a greater "enemy" than China's leader Xi Jinping.

Trump&nbsp;also ratcheted up the rhetoric on China, ordering US companies to look at ways to close operations in the country, which sent equities tumbling and drove further inflows into safe-haven&nbsp;gold.

This came&nbsp;after&nbsp;China unveiled retaliatory tariffs against about $75 billion worth of US&nbsp;goods.

"This means there is no resolution, the escalation continues. Investors are selling the risk and buying&nbsp;gold," said SP Angel analyst Sergey Raevskiy.

Gold&nbsp;has risen nearly 8 per cent so far this month and about 19per cent this year and was set for a fourth straight week of gains.

Elsewhere, silver gained 2.3per cent to $17.39 an ounce, while platinum was up 0.1per cent at $858.11.

Palladium fell 1.7per cent to $1,461.83 an ounce, but the autocatalyst metal remained on track for a third straight weekly gain of about 0.9

Gold surged 2 per cent on Friday as investors interpreted US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech as leaning toward a dovish monetary policy stance and President Donald Trump's latest comments exacerbated trade tensions with China.

Gold surged 2 per cent on Friday as investors interpreted US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech as leaning toward a dovish monetary policy stance and President Donald Trump's latest comments exacerbated trade tensions with China. Spot gold rose 1.9per cent at $1,526.60 an ounce by 14:08 pm EDT (1801 GMT), shaking off slight headwinds ahead of the Fed Chair's speech. Prices earlier rose to $1,528.79, the highest since August 13, when spot gold had scaled a six-year peak of $1,534.31. US gold futures settled up 1.9per cent to $1,537.60. "The fact that he (Powell) said that they (the Fed) will act appropriately to sustain expansion is pretty bullish for gold. The two primary tools they have are quantitative easing (QE) or lower rates - both those tools will cause gold to go higher," said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. "The move this morning is just more people buying gold simply with the expectations that interest rates will be lower by year-end." Powell said the US economy is in a "favourable place," but gave few clues about interest rate cuts at its next meeting. However, he listed a series of economic and geopolitical risks the Fed is monitoring, noting these were linked to the trade spat. "We shouldn't be surprised if we see the Fed deliver a full percentage point in rate cuts over the next 12 months and a new QE program as we may only need a couple of the following macro events to blow up: trade uncertainties, weakness in China and Germany, Brexit, Hong Kong, and the dissolution of the Italian government," Edward Moya, a senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note. Powell's speech prompted a backlash from Trump on Twitter, asking whether the Fed chair was a greater "enemy" than China's leader Xi Jinping. Trump also ratcheted up the rhetoric on China, ordering US companies to look at ways to close operations in the country, which sent equities tumbling and drove further inflows into safe-haven gold. This came after China unveiled retaliatory tariffs against about $75 billion worth of US goods. "This means there is no resolution, the escalation continues. Investors are selling the risk and buying gold," said SP Angel analyst Sergey Raevskiy. Gold has risen nearly 8 per cent so far this month and about 19per cent this year and was set for a fourth straight week of gains. Elsewhere, silver gained 2.3per cent to $17.39 an ounce, while platinum was up 0.1per cent at $858.11. Palladium fell 1.7per cent to $1,461.83 an ounce, but the autocatalyst metal remained on track for a third straight weekly gain of about 0.9

Gold soars 2% after US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speech, Trump tweets

Thousands of chanting Hong Kong protesters joined hands to form human chains on Friday in a peaceful protest, with almost three months of anti-government demonstrations showing no sign of let-up across the Chinese-ruled territory.

Thousands of chanting Hong Kong protesters joined hands to form human chains on Friday in a peaceful protest, with almost three months of anti-government demonstrations showing no sign of let-up across the Chinese-ruled territory. Demonstrators, families young and old, some people masked, some using hand wipes to stay clean, linked hands across different districts as others held up banners thanking overseas nations for supporting "freedom and democracy" in Hong Kong. Their move echoed one on Aug. 23, 1989, when an estimated 2 million people joined arms across the three Baltic states in a protest against Soviet rule that became known as the "Baltic Way" or "Baltic Chain". "I joined the Hong Kong Way because it’s peaceful," said protester Peter Cheung, 27. "This is the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way. I hope there will be a bigger chance to make an international noise." Watch: Hong Kong protests continue × The protest, which included dozens shining lights from the top of Kowloon's Lion Rock, visible from the main island of Hong Kong, showed the apparent defiance of Hong Kong people after warnings from Communist Party leaders in Beijing and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam about violence. Police presence was thin and the protest ended promptly at 9 pm (1300 GMT). But protesters are also planning a "stress test" of the airport this weekend and some, wearing their traditional black garb, were making their way from the nearby suburban town of Tung Chung on Friday night. The protests, triggered by a now-suspended bill that would have allowed extraditions to China, have plunged the former British colony into its worst crisis since its return to China in 1997 and pose a major challenge for Beijing. The unrest has widened into calls for greater freedom, fuelled by worries about the erosion of rights guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula, adopted after the 1997 handover, such as an independent judiciary and the right to protest. The airport, reached by a gleaming suspension bridge carrying both rail and road traffic, was forced to close last week when protesters, barricading passageways with luggage trolleys, metal barriers and other objects, clashed with police. China's Hong Kong affairs office condemned the mayhem as "near-terrorist acts". "Go to the airport by different means, including MTR, airport bus, taxi, bike and private car to increase pressure on airport transport," protest organisers wrote online on Friday. The Airport Authority published a half-page notice in newspapers urging young people to "love Hong Kong" and said it opposed acts that blocked the airport, adding that it would keep working to maintain smooth operations. Hong Kong's high court extended an order restricting protests at the airport. Some activists had apologised for last week's airport turmoil. The Canadian consulate said it had suspended travel to mainland China for local staff, just days after a Chinese employee of the city's British consulate was confirmed to have been detained in China. Beijing has said that Simon Cheng, the consulate employee, was detained in the border city of Shenzhen neighbouring Hong Kong. It has accused Britain and other Western countries of meddling in its affairs in Hong Kong. Canada's latest travel advisory on Thursday warned of reports of increased screening of travellers' digital devices at border crossings between mainland China and Hong Kong. 'Hidden aim' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Canada’s decision not to allow local staff to visit the mainland was one for Canada, which it respected. If people came to China and followed the law, they would have no problems, he told a daily news briefing. "But if you have a hidden aim, and are hatching a sinister plot, then I fear in China you need to be in a state of apprehension and extra careful." The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China said it had received multiple reports of Chinese border officials detaining journalists and searching their digital devices when travelling between the mainland and Hong Kong. The protests are taking a toll on Hong Kong's economy and tourism, with the special administrative region on the cusp of its first recession in a decade. Transport Secretary Frank Chan said airport passenger volume from Aug. 1 to Aug. 21 was down 11% from the same period last year, with cargo volume down 14%. Commerce Secretary Edward Yau said visitor arrivals started to fall in mid-July. For August 15 to Aug. 20, arrivals were down 49.6% on the corresponding 2018 period. "It was the fastest and steepest drop in recent years, and the situation is obviously very worrisome," he told reporters. The protests have caused corporate casualties, most dramatically at the Cathay Pacific airline, amid mounting Chinese scrutiny of the involvement of some of its staff in protests. Cathay confirmed on Friday that Rebecca Sy, the head of Cathay Dragon's Airlines Flight Attendants' Association, was no longer with the company. Her departure follows the shock resignation of Cathay Chief Executive Rupert Hogg last week. Demonstrators have five demands: withdraw the extradition bill, set up an independent inquiry into the protests and perceived police brutality, stop describing the protests as "rioting", waive charges against those arrested, and resume political reform. Beijing has sent a clear warning that forceful intervention is possible, with paramilitary forces holding drills just over the border.

Hong Kong families form peaceful human chains ahead of airport protest

China announced Friday it will hit US imports worth $75 billion with new tariffs starting September 1 and December 15, as retaliation for Washington's planned tariff hikes in a bruising trade war.

The punitive tariffs will range from 5 per cent to 10 per cent on 5,078 items from the US, China's state council tariff office said.

Beijing also announced it will impose a 25 per cent tariff on US autos and a 5 per cent tariff on auto parts starting December 15.

China had lifted punitive tariffs on American cars and auto parts earlier this year as a goodwill measure while trade talks were underway.

The tariff hikes by the US "have led to the continuous escalation of China-US economic and trade frictions, violating the consensus reached by the two heads of state in Argentina and the consensus reached in Osaka," China's State Council Tariff Commission Office said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods, with a further $300 billion in imports targeted for new duties in two more rounds, September 1 and December 15.

On August 16, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that US and Chinese negotiators were holding "productive" trade talks and expected them to meet in September.

Nonetheless, China had vowed to counter US tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods while calling on the United States to meet it halfway on a potential trade deal.

Earlier this month, the Chinese finance ministry said in a statement that Washington's tariffs violated a consensus reached between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a June summit in Japan to resolve their disputes via negotiation.

In a separate statement, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying had&nbsp;said, "We hope the US&nbsp;will meet China halfway, and implement the consensus of the two heads of the two countries in Osaka."

China hopes to find mutually acceptable solutions through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, she added.

Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2020 and had made the economy and his tough stance on China a key part of his 2016 campaign for the White House, on Thursday said any agreement must meet US demands.

China announced Friday it will hit US imports worth $75 billion with new tariffs starting September 1 and December 15, as retaliation for Washington's planned tariff hikes in a bruising trade war.

China announced Friday it will hit US imports worth $75 billion with new tariffs starting September 1 and December 15, as retaliation for Washington's planned tariff hikes in a bruising trade war. The punitive tariffs will range from 5 per cent to 10 per cent on 5,078 items from the US, China's state council tariff office said. Beijing also announced it will impose a 25 per cent tariff on US autos and a 5 per cent tariff on auto parts starting December 15. China had lifted punitive tariffs on American cars and auto parts earlier this year as a goodwill measure while trade talks were underway. The tariff hikes by the US "have led to the continuous escalation of China-US economic and trade frictions, violating the consensus reached by the two heads of state in Argentina and the consensus reached in Osaka," China's State Council Tariff Commission Office said in a statement. US President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods, with a further $300 billion in imports targeted for new duties in two more rounds, September 1 and December 15. On August 16, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that US and Chinese negotiators were holding "productive" trade talks and expected them to meet in September. Nonetheless, China had vowed to counter US tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods while calling on the United States to meet it halfway on a potential trade deal. Earlier this month, the Chinese finance ministry said in a statement that Washington's tariffs violated a consensus reached between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a June summit in Japan to resolve their disputes via negotiation. In a separate statement, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying had said, "We hope the US will meet China halfway, and implement the consensus of the two heads of the two countries in Osaka." China hopes to find mutually acceptable solutions through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, she added. Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2020 and had made the economy and his tough stance on China a key part of his 2016 campaign for the White House, on Thursday said any agreement must meet US demands.

Will impose new tariffs on $75 billion US imports: China

The U.S. President Donald Trump parallels to Tiananmen Square in 1989. He said, ''it is very hard to do a deal if there is violence. China needs this deal more than the U.S.'' Troops raise concerns of military intervention.

Trump warns China's Xi Jinping against violence in Hong Kong

US President Donald Trump warns Xi Jinping against violence in Hong Kong. Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: Donald Trump warns Xi Jinping against violence in Hong Kong

US President Donald Trump warns Xi Jinping against violence in Hong Kong

Top Chinese, North Korean generals met to boost military ties. China and North Korea committed to strengthening the exchanges. Watch this video to know more.

Top Chinese, North Korean generals met to boost military ties

A bad year for Xi Jinping clouds Communist China's 70th birthday celebrations

Over a thousand Hong Kong school teachers braved thunderstorms on Saturday to start a weekend of anti-government demonstrations that some activists fear could see tougher police tactics on the city's streets.

Over a thousand Hong Kong school teachers braved thunderstorms on Saturday to start a weekend of anti-government demonstrations that some activists fear could see tougher police tactics on the city's streets. Following the escalation in violence during the past few days, the demonstrations this weekend will provide a litmus test as to whether the protest movement can retain the broad support that it has appeared to enjoy. Demonstrators say they are fighting the erosion of the "one country, two systems" arrangement that enshrined some autonomy for Hong Kong since China took it back from Britain in 1997. During the past week, they have increasingly directed their frustrations toward police, who have responded with fiercer determination to clear them from the streets. Yu, aged in her 40s and a music teacher at a local secondary school, said she was determined to show support for protesting students, even though she didn't agree with all their actions. "I do appreciate their courage and caring about Hong Kong...they are braver than our government," she said. The teacher's rally was approved by the police and was peaceful. After gathering in the Central business district, they marched on the Government House residence of Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam, chanting "Hong Kong police know the law, they break the law". Anti-government demonstrators were also expected to march through Kowloon districts popular with traders and tourists from mainland China. The pro-democracy Civil Human Rights Front, which organised peaceful million-strong marches in June, has scheduled another protest for Sunday. "We all feel tensions are building and the level of stress is increasing," one front-line protester, Pun, 22, told Reuters during a sit-in at the international airport earlier in the week. "I know violence cannot fight violence but sometimes aggression is needed to attract the attention of the government and others," he said. "I have thrown rocks...I have also been hit by police with batons. We're all slowly getting used to this." Thousands of mostly young protesters forced a shutdown of flights at the city's Chek Lap Kok international airport on Monday, disrupting flights until late Tuesday. The Airport Authority obtained an interim court injunction on Wednesday to restrain people from "unlawfully and wilfully obstructing" its operations. Calls for restraint The increasingly violent confrontations have plunged one of Asia's financial capitals into its worst crisis for decades. The unrest also presents one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Western governments, including the United States, have stepped up calls for restraint following ugly and chaotic scenes at the airport. The crisis is also resulting in corporate casualties, with the chief executive of Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways quitting on Friday after China's aviation regulator demanded it suspends staff involved in or supporting the protests. Chinese officials have likened some actions by protesters to "terrorism" and Chinese state media outlets have urged a tougher response from Hong Kong police. Clashes became noticeably fiercer during the past week. Protesters have used slingshots to fire marbles at police, shone lasers at them and at times thrown bricks and firebombs. Police stations have been surrounded and attacked 76 times during the crisis, police said. Having fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the streets, and at one point in a subway station, police are warning that they could get tougher. Police have so far refrained from deploying armoured cars that could smash through barricades. Nor have they used water cannon two were purchased in 2014 or unleashed the force's dog squad on protesters. "We have in place a more flexible strategy," one police officer said. "We are in a far better position to have a more efficient and rapid response." China's People's Armed Police units have staged extensive drills across the border in Shenzhen in recent days, but Hong Kong police say they have the operational depth and strength to handle local tensions. As protesters have employed a flash-mob strategy, withdrawing when police advance, only to re-appear elsewhere, police have also begun using undercover officers, disguised as protesters, to gather intelligence and make arrests. Police have made some 750 arrests since the unrest began in June, and have charged some protesters with rioting which can attract a 10-year jail term as punishment. In some cases, the arrests have been accompanied by extensive property searches and seizure of phones and computers, police sources say. "They are doing these hit and run lately," one senior police officer told media earlier this week. "Arrests should be a natural consequence. If we can arrest more and more because they are undertaking illegal acts, so be it."

Hong Kong tense as a weekend of protests begins with teachers' rally in the rain

U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the tensions in Hong Kong releasing a tweet Wednesday (August 14) that said, "I have ZERO doubt that if President Xi wants to quickly and humanely solve the Hong Kong problem, he can do it. Personal meeting?"

President Xi can quickly solve Hong Kong "problem" adding "Personal meeting?" says Donald Trump

Hundreds of China's People's Armed Police conducted exercises at a sports stadium in Shenzhen on Thursday, as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-deeply-concerned-by-reports-of-china-paramilitary-movement-near-hong-kong-243100">US State Department expressed concern</a> that they could be deployed across the border in Hong Kong to break up protests wracking the city.

But Western and Asian diplomats in Hong Kong said Beijing has little appetite for rolling the PAP or the People's Liberation Army onto Hong Kong's streets.

Men in fatigues could be seen in a stadium at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre, and shouts and whistles could be heard by a Reuters journalist on Thursday morning.

Later in the day, police carried out exercises in which they divided into two groups, one wearing black t-shirts similar to those worn by some <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-china-should-treat-hong-kong-humanely-before-trade-deal-can-be-agreed-243136">protesters in Hong Kong</a>.

The other group remained in uniform and picked up crowd-control shields and practised charging at the first group.

"This is the first time I've seen such a large-scale meeting," said Yang Ying, a receptionist at a wellness centre inside the retail complex at the stadium.

"There have been exercises in the past, but usually they involve traffic police," she added. "Our friends, social media, all say it's because of Hong Kong."

Ten weeks of increasingly violent confrontations between police and protesters have plunged the city into its worst crisis since it reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

The protests represent one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

On Wednesday the US State Department said it was deeply concerned about reports that Chinese police forces were gathering near the border with Hong Kong and urged the city's government to respect freedom of speech.

In Shenzhen, paramilitary police marched in and out of the stadium near a retail complex where shoppers milled about.

The stadium parking lot was filled with more than 100 dark-painted paramilitary vehicles, including troop trucks, armoured personnel carriers, buses and jeeps. At least three were armoured front-end loaders, and two vehicles carried water cannons.

A policeman patrolling the area told Reuters journalists the paramilitary police were guarding a basketball tournament.

Chinese state media have made several mentions of exercises in Shenzhen.

The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid run by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, published a slick video this week showing columns of trucks and armoured personnel carriers rolling through the city.

The paper said the vehicles belonged to the People's Armed Police and had gathered for "apparent-large scale exercises." Its editor, Hu Xijin, described it on Twitter as "a clear warning to rioters in Hong Kong."

The Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper said on the social media platform Weibo that the force handles incidents that include riots and terrorist attacks.

"There is usually PAP in Shenzhen, but this time it appears to be directed against Hong Kong," said a taxi driver, who gave his surname as Wang. "Usually they wouldn't hold such a big exercise."

Posturing, for now

Still, diplomats in Hong Kong said they believe China's leadership is well aware that moving mainland forces into Hong Kong would shatter international faith in the "one country, two systems" model at the heart of the city's role as a global financial hub, and would swiftly lead to sanctions.

"We are seeing an escalation in the posturing that appears designed to send messages to both Hong Kong and the mainland ... but we are confident we are still in the realms of propaganda here," one senior Western envoy told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. "The trucks aren't about to roll at this point."

Alexander Neill, a Singapore-based security analyst at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, said it would take a far more serious situation to trigger such a move.

"I think we'd really need to see a total breakdown and a sense that China's national interests were at great risk and could not be protected by the Hong Kong government and its police," he said.

Worst-case scenarios, he said, could involve the assassination or kidnapping of Chinese officials in Hong Kong, the sacking and occupation of key offices there or the government losing control of parts of the police force.

"We're a long way from anything like that yet, so I think what we are seeing is harder posturing that is part of a much broader propaganda effort underway on many fronts," he said.

The Shenzhen stadium sits across the water from Hong Kong's rural hinterland, near a bridge straddling the border.

People working around the stadium said the level of PAP activity was higher than they had ever seen, but not disruptive, as the troops usually kept to themselves.

The chief disruption was PAP vehicles occupying parking spaces, and people who worked in the area said they had been told not to share pictures of vehicles.

Hundreds of China's People's Armed Police conducted exercises at a sports stadium in Shenzhen on Thursday, as the US State Department expressed concern that they could be deployed across the border in Hong Kong to break up protests wracking the city.

Hundreds of China's People's Armed Police conducted exercises at a sports stadium in Shenzhen on Thursday, as the US State Department expressed concern that they could be deployed across the border in Hong Kong to break up protests wracking the city. But Western and Asian diplomats in Hong Kong said Beijing has little appetite for rolling the PAP or the People's Liberation Army onto Hong Kong's streets. Men in fatigues could be seen in a stadium at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre, and shouts and whistles could be heard by a Reuters journalist on Thursday morning. Later in the day, police carried out exercises in which they divided into two groups, one wearing black t-shirts similar to those worn by some protesters in Hong Kong. The other group remained in uniform and picked up crowd-control shields and practised charging at the first group. "This is the first time I've seen such a large-scale meeting," said Yang Ying, a receptionist at a wellness centre inside the retail complex at the stadium. "There have been exercises in the past, but usually they involve traffic police," she added. "Our friends, social media, all say it's because of Hong Kong." Ten weeks of increasingly violent confrontations between police and protesters have plunged the city into its worst crisis since it reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997. The protests represent one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. On Wednesday the US State Department said it was deeply concerned about reports that Chinese police forces were gathering near the border with Hong Kong and urged the city's government to respect freedom of speech. In Shenzhen, paramilitary police marched in and out of the stadium near a retail complex where shoppers milled about. The stadium parking lot was filled with more than 100 dark-painted paramilitary vehicles, including troop trucks, armoured personnel carriers, buses and jeeps. At least three were armoured front-end loaders, and two vehicles carried water cannons. A policeman patrolling the area told Reuters journalists the paramilitary police were guarding a basketball tournament. Chinese state media have made several mentions of exercises in Shenzhen. The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid run by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, published a slick video this week showing columns of trucks and armoured personnel carriers rolling through the city. The paper said the vehicles belonged to the People's Armed Police and had gathered for "apparent-large scale exercises." Its editor, Hu Xijin, described it on Twitter as "a clear warning to rioters in Hong Kong." The Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper said on the social media platform Weibo that the force handles incidents that include riots and terrorist attacks. "There is usually PAP in Shenzhen, but this time it appears to be directed against Hong Kong," said a taxi driver, who gave his surname as Wang. "Usually they wouldn't hold such a big exercise." Posturing, for now Still, diplomats in Hong Kong said they believe China's leadership is well aware that moving mainland forces into Hong Kong would shatter international faith in the "one country, two systems" model at the heart of the city's role as a global financial hub, and would swiftly lead to sanctions. "We are seeing an escalation in the posturing that appears designed to send messages to both Hong Kong and the mainland ... but we are confident we are still in the realms of propaganda here," one senior Western envoy told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. "The trucks aren't about to roll at this point." Alexander Neill, a Singapore-based security analyst at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, said it would take a far more serious situation to trigger such a move. "I think we'd really need to see a total breakdown and a sense that China's national interests were at great risk and could not be protected by the Hong Kong government and its police," he said. Worst-case scenarios, he said, could involve the assassination or kidnapping of Chinese officials in Hong Kong, the sacking and occupation of key offices there or the government losing control of parts of the police force. "We're a long way from anything like that yet, so I think what we are seeing is harder posturing that is part of a much broader propaganda effort underway on many fronts," he said. The Shenzhen stadium sits across the water from Hong Kong's rural hinterland, near a bridge straddling the border. People working around the stadium said the level of PAP activity was higher than they had ever seen, but not disruptive, as the troops usually kept to themselves. The chief disruption was PAP vehicles occupying parking spaces, and people who worked in the area said they had been told not to share pictures of vehicles.

In 'clear warning', Chinese paramilitary forces exercise near Hong Kong

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Bejing. The meeting took place at Diaoyutai guest house, which was once the residence of Chairman Mao Zedong but now used to receive foreign dignitaries.&nbsp;

Jaishankar is on a pre-scheduled visit to Beijing from August 11 to 13 and left for China on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;focus during the visit is on the second informal summit between&nbsp;PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.&nbsp;

Post lunch, both the foreign ministers will later inaugurate the India China Media forum and make press statements as well.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
External Affairs Minister will co-chair the second meeting of the India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges (HLM) along with his counterpart. The HLM aims to increase people-to-people ties and enhance engagement in areas such&nbsp;as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports.

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"The second HLM meeting will provide an opportunity to follow up on the outcomes of the first HLM meeting and discuss new initiatives for enhancing people-to-people exchanges between our two countries", MEA in a statement said. 
&nbsp; 
The HLC was one of the key outcomes of the Wuhan informal meet and the first meet happened in Delhi in&nbsp;2018&nbsp;between Wang Yi and former external affairs minister S Jaishankar. 
&nbsp; 
Earlier in the day,&nbsp;External Affairs Minister called on Vice President of China&nbsp;Wang&nbsp;Qishan.

Ahead of the visit, India called China an important partner. Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said,&nbsp;"China is a very important partner. There are many channels available to us to discuss all bilateral&nbsp;issues"

Adding, "it is expected bilateral issues will come up for discussion. We will discuss the informal summit. We will also discuss how to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties."

India's prime minister met the Chinese President in Kyrgyzstan earlier this year on the sidelines of Shanghai cooperation summit and last year both met each other four times starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan in April.

&nbsp;The visit of Indian foreign minister comes even as Pakistani foreign minister SM Qureshi went on an emergency visit to China to meet the Chinese FM in the backdrop of India's internal decision to change the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and&nbsp;Kashmir.&nbsp;

Pakistani FM met Chinese FM on Friday and in a release, the Chinese foreign ministry said, "Pakistan and India are both China’s friendly neighbours and major developing countries that are in a crucial stage of development", and called on the "two sides to proceed&nbsp;from their national development and peace in South Asia".

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Bejing. The meeting took place at Diaoyutai guest house, which was once the residence of Chairman Mao Zedong but now used to receive foreign dignitaries.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Bejing. The meeting took place at Diaoyutai guest house, which was once the residence of Chairman Mao Zedong but now used to receive foreign dignitaries. Jaishankar is on a pre-scheduled visit to Beijing from August 11 to 13 and left for China on Sunday. The focus during the visit is on the second informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. Post lunch, both the foreign ministers will later inaugurate the India China Media forum and make press statements as well. External Affairs Minister will co-chair the second meeting of the India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges (HLM) along with his counterpart. The HLM aims to increase people-to-people ties and enhance engagement in areas such as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports. China: External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar meets Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi in Beijing. pic.twitter.com/6RHgad285b — ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2019 × "The second HLM meeting will provide an opportunity to follow up on the outcomes of the first HLM meeting and discuss new initiatives for enhancing people-to-people exchanges between our two countries", MEA in a statement said. The HLC was one of the key outcomes of the Wuhan informal meet and the first meet happened in Delhi in 2018 between Wang Yi and former external affairs minister S Jaishankar. Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister called on Vice President of China Wang Qishan. Ahead of the visit, India called China an important partner. Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said, "China is a very important partner. There are many channels available to us to discuss all bilateral issues" Adding, "it is expected bilateral issues will come up for discussion. We will discuss the informal summit. We will also discuss how to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties." India's prime minister met the Chinese President in Kyrgyzstan earlier this year on the sidelines of Shanghai cooperation summit and last year both met each other four times starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan in April. The visit of Indian foreign minister comes even as Pakistani foreign minister SM Qureshi went on an emergency visit to China to meet the Chinese FM in the backdrop of India's internal decision to change the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani FM met Chinese FM on Friday and in a release, the Chinese foreign ministry said, "Pakistan and India are both China’s friendly neighbours and major developing countries that are in a crucial stage of development", and called on the "two sides to proceed from their national development and peace in South Asia".

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing amid Article 370 row

With focus on the second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Monday.&nbsp;

Jaishankar is on a pre-scheduled visit to Beijing from August 11-13 and left for China on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ahead of the visit, India called China an important partner. Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said,&nbsp;"China is a very important partner. There are many channels available to us to discuss all bilateral issues."

Further adding Raveesh Kumar said, "It is expected that bilateral issues will come up for discussion. We will discuss the informal summit. We will also discuss how to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties."

PM Modi met the Chinese President in Kyrgyzstan earlier this year on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Summit and last year both met each other four times starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan in April.

External Affairs Minister will co-chair the second meeting of the India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges (HLM) along with his counterpart.&nbsp;

The HLM aims to increase&nbsp;people-to-people ties and enhance engagement in areas such as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports.

"The second HLM meeting will provide an opportunity to follow up on the outcomes of the first HLM meeting and discuss new initiatives for enhancing people-to-people exchanges between our two countries", MEA said in a statement.

The HLC was one of the key outcomes of the Wuhan informal meet and the first meet happened in Delhi in 2018 between Wang Yi and former external affairs minister S Jaishankar.

The visit of Indian foreign minister comes even as Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi went on an emergency visit to China to meet Wang Yi in the backdrop of India's internal decision to change the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

Qureshi met Wang Yi on Friday and in a release, the Chinese foreign ministry said, "Pakistan and India are both China’s friendly neighbours and major developing countries that are in a crucial stage of development", and called on the "two sides to proceed from their national development and peace in South Asia."

China has reacted negatively to New Delhi's decision on Jammu and Kashmir evoking a strong reaction New Delhi and said, "India&nbsp;does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise."

With focus on the second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Monday.

With focus on the second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Monday. Jaishankar is on a pre-scheduled visit to Beijing from August 11-13 and left for China on Sunday. Ahead of the visit, India called China an important partner. Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said, "China is a very important partner. There are many channels available to us to discuss all bilateral issues." Further adding Raveesh Kumar said, "It is expected that bilateral issues will come up for discussion. We will discuss the informal summit. We will also discuss how to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties." PM Modi met the Chinese President in Kyrgyzstan earlier this year on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Summit and last year both met each other four times starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan in April. External Affairs Minister will co-chair the second meeting of the India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges (HLM) along with his counterpart. The HLM aims to increase people-to-people ties and enhance engagement in areas such as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports. "The second HLM meeting will provide an opportunity to follow up on the outcomes of the first HLM meeting and discuss new initiatives for enhancing people-to-people exchanges between our two countries", MEA said in a statement. The HLC was one of the key outcomes of the Wuhan informal meet and the first meet happened in Delhi in 2018 between Wang Yi and former external affairs minister S Jaishankar. The visit of Indian foreign minister comes even as Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi went on an emergency visit to China to meet Wang Yi in the backdrop of India's internal decision to change the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Qureshi met Wang Yi on Friday and in a release, the Chinese foreign ministry said, "Pakistan and India are both China’s friendly neighbours and major developing countries that are in a crucial stage of development", and called on the "two sides to proceed from their national development and peace in South Asia." China has reacted negatively to New Delhi's decision on Jammu and Kashmir evoking a strong reaction New Delhi and said, "India does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise."

India's foreign minister Jaishankar leaves for China ahead of second informal summit

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Washington wasn't ready to finalise a trade deal with Beijing, amid lingering worries over the intensifying US-China trade war, reported news agency AFP.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Washington wasn't ready to finalise a trade deal with Beijing, amid lingering worries over the intensifying US-China trade war, reported news agency AFP. "We're not ready to make a deal," Trump told reporters at the White House before heading out on vacation at his New Jersey golf resort. Trump comment comes a day after US hit China with new import duties Thursday on more than $4 billion in imported wooden cabinets and vanities, after finding manufacturers there benefit from unfair subsidies. The Commerce Department's preliminary finding comes just a week after Washington announced new punitive duties on another $300 billion in Chinese goods, meaning that starting September 1 all Chinese imports will be subject to punitive tariffs. The latest announcement is one in a series of cases Commerce has pursued against particular product lines, usually at the request of American companies claiming to be hurt by imports from China or other trading partners.

President Trump says US 'not ready' to make trade deal with China

* By Charles Hankla

President Donald Trump recently escalated his trade war with China, threatening to impose a 10 per cent tariff on the remaining $300 billion of untaxed Chinese imports.

If the new tariff goes into effect in September as promised, virtually all Chinese exports to the US would be subject to levies ranging from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. China retaliated by letting the value of its currency fall to the lowest level in more than a decade and halting all crop imports.

Many Americans like me are now wondering: Is there any end in sight?

How to win an economic war

As a scholar of trade policy, I’ve repeatedly made the point that free exchange is a positive-sum game – meaning every participating country can benefit – rather than zero sum — as Trump seems to believe. This is why commercial disputes are certain to harm all participants.

I believe that the United States could have avoided its current predicament by using the World Trade Organization’s existing dispute resolution process to address its justifiable concerns with Chinese behaviour.

Still, from the perspective of a single country, starting a trade war could potentially be justified if the end result ultimately shifts the terms of trade in its favour.

Such a victory can only be achieved when the country has more bargaining leverage than its opponent – in other words, when it can impose more pain on its adversary than it experiences itself.

And the longer the trade war continues, the more concessions that country will have to win in order to compensate for the damage caused.

So, after nearly 18 months of escalating disputes between the US and China, where are we? Is either side winning, and can any concessions justify the economic harm that both sides have already experienced?

China’s Pain

First and foremost, it has become increasingly clear that the trade war is hurting the economies of both countries. Neither will emerge from this conflict unscathed.

Unfortunately, however, the last 18 months have done little to clarify who is winning – that is, who is hurting less and can credibly hold out for longer.

Take China. Before the trade war, it was already facing a number of significant challenges, first among them how to effect a transition from its current reliance on cheap manufacturing to the production of higher value-added goods. China’s political stability is also somewhat precarious, as evidenced by recent events in Hong Kong and Xianjing, as well as Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s authoritarian crackdown.

Moreover, China’s economic growth has slowed to a 27-year low of 6.2 per cent. And perhaps more ominously for the country, there are growing signs that foreign companies from America and elsewhere are looking outside China as they expand their sourcing, production and distribution activities.

Of course, China’s growth rate still makes it among the fastest-expanding economies in the world, so the recent slowdown can hardly be termed a crisis. And the shift away from China, limited as it is, began before the trade war, spurred on by rising prices, intellectual property theft and other issues.

Not Necessarily America’s Gain

The problem for the US is that Americans are also increasingly feeling the pinch.

Perhaps most notably, farmers – many of whom continue to support Trump – are beginning to tire of the sacrifices they are making for his uncompromising positions. With the Chinese government threatening to retaliate if Trump follows through on the new tariffs, their willingness to go along may be even more sorely tested.

To keep agriculture on its side, the Trump administration has channeled billions of dollars in subsidies to those hurt by his trade policies. But this approach also has its political costs, with more fiscally conservative backers of the president balking at the price tag.

From a broader perspective, recent studies have undercut Trump’s claim that Chinese companies are bearing the brunt of the tariff payments, showing that the bulk of costs are passed to US companies and consumers. And the stock market is reacting negatively to the latest Trump threats.

It is true that the overall American economy remains strong, with expanding employment and a fast, though slowing, the growth rate of 2.1 per cent in the most recent period. But China has one more strategic advantage that could make a substantial difference: It can wait out Trump’s presidency.

If the Trump administration’s approach to trade represented a bipartisan consensus, the US could keep up the pressure over the long term. Containment policy during the Cold War, in which the United States committed itself to curbing Soviet influence, represents the classic example of a consensus that was credibly maintained, in one form or another, across several administrations.

But because the tariffs are so associated with Trump’s personality, the Chinese government can afford to wait for a new president. If a Democrat wins in 2020, he or she will likely maintain a harder line on China than we saw before Trump, but will probably repudiate the current president’s penchant for punitive and precipitous tariffs.

In a sense, America’s negotiating credibility has become yet another casualty of its polarised politics.

In Other Words: No End in Sight

In the final analysis, China may have the most to lose from the ongoing dispute. But the US bargaining position is more politically vulnerable.

And the Chinese can credibly claim that buckling under American pressure would be unacceptable to their domestic audience.

Studies of shooting wars indicate that they tend to continue until events on the ground reveal which side is likely to win. The same is surely true for trade wars.

Since neither side is clearly winning or losing, we have probably not seen the end of this conflict.

(Charles Hankla is Associate Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-trumps-trade-war-with-china-ever-end-121405">Read the original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

* By Charles Hankla President Donald Trump recently escalated his trade war with China, threatening to impose a 10 per cent tariff on the remaining $300 billion of untaxed Chinese imports.

* By Charles Hankla President Donald Trump recently escalated his trade war with China, threatening to impose a 10 per cent tariff on the remaining $300 billion of untaxed Chinese imports. If the new tariff goes into effect in September as promised, virtually all Chinese exports to the US would be subject to levies ranging from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. China retaliated by letting the value of its currency fall to the lowest level in more than a decade and halting all crop imports. Many Americans like me are now wondering: Is there any end in sight? How to win an economic war As a scholar of trade policy, I’ve repeatedly made the point that free exchange is a positive-sum game – meaning every participating country can benefit – rather than zero sum — as Trump seems to believe. This is why commercial disputes are certain to harm all participants. I believe that the United States could have avoided its current predicament by using the World Trade Organization’s existing dispute resolution process to address its justifiable concerns with Chinese behaviour. Still, from the perspective of a single country, starting a trade war could potentially be justified if the end result ultimately shifts the terms of trade in its favour. Such a victory can only be achieved when the country has more bargaining leverage than its opponent – in other words, when it can impose more pain on its adversary than it experiences itself. And the longer the trade war continues, the more concessions that country will have to win in order to compensate for the damage caused. So, after nearly 18 months of escalating disputes between the US and China, where are we? Is either side winning, and can any concessions justify the economic harm that both sides have already experienced? China’s Pain First and foremost, it has become increasingly clear that the trade war is hurting the economies of both countries. Neither will emerge from this conflict unscathed. Unfortunately, however, the last 18 months have done little to clarify who is winning – that is, who is hurting less and can credibly hold out for longer. Take China. Before the trade war, it was already facing a number of significant challenges, first among them how to effect a transition from its current reliance on cheap manufacturing to the production of higher value-added goods. China’s political stability is also somewhat precarious, as evidenced by recent events in Hong Kong and Xianjing, as well as Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s authoritarian crackdown. Moreover, China’s economic growth has slowed to a 27-year low of 6.2 per cent. And perhaps more ominously for the country, there are growing signs that foreign companies from America and elsewhere are looking outside China as they expand their sourcing, production and distribution activities. Of course, China’s growth rate still makes it among the fastest-expanding economies in the world, so the recent slowdown can hardly be termed a crisis. And the shift away from China, limited as it is, began before the trade war, spurred on by rising prices, intellectual property theft and other issues. Not Necessarily America’s Gain The problem for the US is that Americans are also increasingly feeling the pinch. Perhaps most notably, farmers – many of whom continue to support Trump – are beginning to tire of the sacrifices they are making for his uncompromising positions. With the Chinese government threatening to retaliate if Trump follows through on the new tariffs, their willingness to go along may be even more sorely tested. To keep agriculture on its side, the Trump administration has channeled billions of dollars in subsidies to those hurt by his trade policies. But this approach also has its political costs, with more fiscally conservative backers of the president balking at the price tag. From a broader perspective, recent studies have undercut Trump’s claim that Chinese companies are bearing the brunt of the tariff payments, showing that the bulk of costs are passed to US companies and consumers. And the stock market is reacting negatively to the latest Trump threats. It is true that the overall American economy remains strong, with expanding employment and a fast, though slowing, the growth rate of 2.1 per cent in the most recent period. But China has one more strategic advantage that could make a substantial difference: It can wait out Trump’s presidency. If the Trump administration’s approach to trade represented a bipartisan consensus, the US could keep up the pressure over the long term. Containment policy during the Cold War, in which the United States committed itself to curbing Soviet influence, represents the classic example of a consensus that was credibly maintained, in one form or another, across several administrations. But because the tariffs are so associated with Trump’s personality, the Chinese government can afford to wait for a new president. If a Democrat wins in 2020, he or she will likely maintain a harder line on China than we saw before Trump, but will probably repudiate the current president’s penchant for punitive and precipitous tariffs. In a sense, America’s negotiating credibility has become yet another casualty of its polarised politics. In Other Words: No End in Sight In the final analysis, China may have the most to lose from the ongoing dispute. But the US bargaining position is more politically vulnerable. And the Chinese can credibly claim that buckling under American pressure would be unacceptable to their domestic audience. Studies of shooting wars indicate that they tend to continue until events on the ground reveal which side is likely to win. The same is surely true for trade wars. Since neither side is clearly winning or losing, we have probably not seen the end of this conflict. (Charles Hankla is Associate Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Will Donald Trump’s trade war with China ever end?

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