Ship a boost for territorial claims in South China Sea, which is source of regional tensions

Lengthy Asian tour will be a test of US president’s diplomatic skills – and his patience

Ties between long-time allies strained by North Korean nuclear programme

Rules may also apply in Hong Kong and Macau, sparking fears of greater encroachment

President Xi Jinping will meet Moon Jae-in in Vietnam next week after Thaad system row

Ambassador says Trump's visit to China next week offers a major opportunity

Nationwide crackdown on ‘schemers and plotters’ to include non-party members

14-year-old girl dies in hospital after lengthy catwalk show at Shanghai Fashion Week

Xi Jinping enjoys high approval among China’s youth – helped by censorship and political apathy

Prof Park Yu-ha said not all ‘comfort women’ were forced into brothels

James Mattis says North Korean nuclear weapons ‘threaten others with catastrophe’

Sabre-rattling intensifies ahead of Trump’s visit to Asia in early November

Xi Jinping’s leadership committee will dictate Chinese policy for the next five years

Focusing on Xi, Chinese communists seem to be moving from collective leadership era

Absence of successor on panel raises prospect of president staying beyond 2020

With his theory accepted into the constitution, the president’s hand will be on everything

‘Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism’ enshrined in constitution at Communist Party congress

Cost of China’s economic expansion has been a stark rise in environmental degradation

Reports say leading candidates unlikely to win promotion at Communist Party congress

Human rights activists say rule of law has deteriorated during Xi Jinping era

Army claims it is developing missile capable of destroying North Korea’s command centre

President’s political philosophy looks set for inclusion in the country’s constitution

Communist Party congress focuses on ‘moderately prosperous’ future

Impeccable stage management projects message of Communist Party firmly in control

‘Hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics,’ leader urges in epic speech

‘Crises and chaos’ of West pointed out as Xi Jinping ideas set to find place in constitution

Communist Party gathering set to consolidate Xi Jinping political strongman status

Beijing Letter: Activists detained amid high security as Xi Jinping set for second term

Appointment of Kim Jong-un’s sister shows leader is keen to copper-fasten family’s position

Artificial intelligence glitch blamed for error, the latest in series of racial incidents in China

Superstition breeds corruption, the People’s Daily says

B-1B bombers conduct live firing drill with South Korean fighter jets

North Korea to use paragliders as part of invasion plans, military officials believe

President Xi Jinping’s campaign against corrupt communists are a key plank of policy

Reshuffle comes as Trump says ‘only one thing’ would work in dealing with Pyongyang

First-time Hong Kong fans have mocked the anthem since new rules criminalising the act

An exhibition lays out the achievements of the Chinese president’s five years in power

Seoul makes plea in overture towards better relations with volatile neighbour

President’s anti-pollution measures are a big boost to China, state media says

Tourism hotspots packed with 710m trips expected over eight-day holiday period

Events in Beijing mark 68th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China

Beijing steps up pressure after UN sanctions over nuclear crisis

Financial crisis and impending Brexit pushes firms to seize opportunities in Asia

Cavan building products groups aims to double sales in Asia Pacific to €20m this year

Dandong Letter: UN sanctions are slowing traffic on the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge

Pyongyang’s proposed test of H-bomb in the Pacific likely to cross China’s ‘red line’

Foreign minister says he ‘feels sorry’ for US president’s aides after fiery UN speech

President lays down tough message ahead of key Communist Party meeting

Forthcoming Communist Party meeting unlikely to yield meaningful reform

‘Shared girlfriend’ raises ire as subscription schemes grow ever more popular in Beijing

François Godement believes solution will be difficult and sanctions an imperfect response

Poor North Koreans on the Chinese border contrast with leadership’s powerful image

Pragmatism has driven China’s approach so far, but it may have to reconsider its strategy

Lee Ming-che used chatrooms to promote democratic message

Xi’s talks with German chancellor the latest effort to act as honest broker in dispute

China wary of cutting off oil supply for fear of provoking direct conflict with neighbour

Ian Johnson and Jennifer Lin sensitively explore formal belief in post-Mao China

Beijing Letter: China’s most successful movie ever pushes the patriotic buttons

Liu Xiaobo's wife Liu Xia has not been seen since his funeral a month ago

North Korea’s leader is an easy target for jokes but calling him mad underestimates him

However, Beijing will back North if US opens hostilities, according to newspaper editorial

Beijing calls for dialogue on ‘complex’ situation after Donald Trump’s ‘fire and fury’ threat

Summit meeting between Vietnam and China cancelled over South China Sea row

Beijing Letter: Party congress and death of Nobel peace laureate catalysts for censorship

Statement says missile tests in July proved entire United States was in its firing range

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi urges more international dialogue over missile crisis

Aerial encounters and events in South China Sea creating strain

Player was booed by Chinese fans after comments posted on social media

Liu Xia has been detained at home since Liu Xiaobo won the peace prize in 2010

Mining and manufacturing, as well as nuclear programme, boosted economy

Audi clip features a woman being examined like an animal by her future mother-in-law

Asian economy grew 6.9 per cent in second quarter from year earlier

China says his wife Liu Xia is ‘free’ but her friends are worried for her safety

China says his wife Liu Xia is ‘free’ but her friends are worried for her safety

Keeping errant spouses from affairs with ‘little thirds’ is big business in China

Chinese dissident’s last words to his wife Liu Xia were ‘Live on well’

Legal move to oust lawmakers changes balance of power in legislature

‘To strangle freedom of speech is to trample on human rights, stifle humanity, suppress truth’

News of democracy proponent’s death prompts rage online among rights activists

Kim Jong-un’s spouse spotted at celebration for promoted missile agency chief

Autumn gathering expected to name Xi Jinping in pantheon of great Chinese leaders

One clip of ailing Nobel winner shows doctors praising cancer care he is receiving

President Xi reiterates Chinese view that dialogue is needed to resolve standoff

Jia Yueting says he’ll pay back his debts and will survive to disrupt the auto industry

Will champions of globalisation Xi and Merkel stay united in face of America First policy?

Decision to invite US and German doctors comes before G20 meeting in Hamburg

Kim Jong-un tells US it sent a ‘package of gifts on its Independence Day’ after missile test

Trump: ‘N Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do?’

Hong Kong Letter: Contrasting styles then and now, but Beijing is far more assertive

Donald Trump calls Xi Jinping and Shinzo Abe to discuss relations with North Korea

A regular Irish Times selection of challenging writing on world affairs

Activists demand democracy 20 years after transfer of territory from Britain to China

Aircraft carrier passes close to the island en route to anniversary events in Hong Kong

Thousands of protesters gather to demand more democracy despite Chinese president’s warning

Tens of thousands attend march as Carrie Lam sworn in as territory’s chief executive

With a new coaching team in place, the next step for Beijing Guoan is some big signings

‘Comrades, you are diligent and hard working’: Xi Jinping inspects troops

Growing fears of eroding freedom after two decades of Chinese rule

Wave of protests expected as Xi Jinping arrives for first visit as Chinese president

Young people in Hong Kong remain sceptical about ‘one country, two systems’ model