Mideast War Disrupts China’s Key Manufacturing Hub

Chinese and regional Asian coverage stresses Beijing’s desire to stabilise ties with Washington while firmly defending its core interests on Taiwan, Iran and trade. They highlight China’s four “red lines”, especially on US arms sales to Taiwan, and warn that South Asia and wider Asia cannot afford either a US-China blowup or a backroom deal that reshapes trade without their input. Expectations are for incremental steps like a ‘Board of Trade’ idea, not a dramatic breakthrough like Nixon’s 1972 visit.

• •Chinese officials have warned that continued US arms sales to Taiwan cross a red line and will draw firm countermeasures.
• •Beijing wants the Trump-Xi summit to focus on stabilising trade and avoiding new tariffs while accepting that deep differences will remain.
• •Regional commentators argue that South Asian economies would be badly hurt by a sharp US-China confrontation over Iran or Taiwan.
• •Chinese voices downplay comparisons to Nixon’s 1972 trip, saying today’s relationship is more competitive and less open to grand bargains.
• •Supporters of the proposed US-China ‘Board of Trade’ say it could give both sides a regular channel to manage disputes and reduce sudden tariff shocks.