China says it cannot accept countries acting as 'world judge' after US captures Maduro; China's Strategic Victory in Venezuela: The End of US Dominance?

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US Department of Justice federal officers stand guard outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is being held, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on January 4, 2026. Venezuela's deposed president Nicolas Maduro is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in New York at noon on January 5, to be formally notified about the charges against him, the court said. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized by US forces during a pre-dawn raid on January 3 in Caracas and brought to New York to face charges of "narcoterrorism" tied to alleged trafficking of tons of cocaine into the United States. - AFP

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing cannot accept any country acting as the "world's judge" after the United States captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

"We have never believed that any country can act as ‌the world's police, nor do we accept that any nation can ⁠claim to be the world's judge," Wang told his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar during a meeting in Beijing on Sunday (Jan 4), referring to "sudden developments in ​Venezuela" without directly mentioning the US.

"The sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law," China's top diplomat added, in his first remarks since images of the 63-year-old Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed on Saturday stunned Venezuelans.

Maduro is in a New York detention centre awaiting a Monday court appearance on drug charges.

Beijing has ambition to become a diplomatic heavyweight, a goal it articulated most clearly after brokering a surprise rapprochement between ‍Saudi Arabia and Iran ⁠in 2023, pledging ‍to "play ​a constructive role in global hotspot issues."

Analysts say Beijing's success in going ⁠toe-to-toe with the US in trade negotiations has only reinforced China's confidence.

However, President Donald Trump's assertion that the US will oversee Venezuela's government for the time being poses a stern test to the "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership" Beijing and Caracas ‍struck in 2023, marking almost 50 years ‍of diplomatic ties.

"It was a big blow to China, we wanted to look like a dependable friend ‌to Venezuela," said a Chinese government official briefed on a meeting between Maduro and China's special representative for Latin American ⁠and Caribbean affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi, hours before his capture.

Maduro's son visited China's top-ranking Peking University in 2024, where he enrolled in 2016, they said, adding they were unsure whether he would return despite years of diplomatic engagement with Caracas ⁠around his education and ties to China.

The world's second-largest economy has provided Venezuela with an economic lifeline since the US and its allies ramped up sanctions in 2017, purchasing roughly US$1.6  billion worth of goods in 2024, the most recent full-year data available.

Almost half of China's purchases were crude oil, customs data ‍shows, while its state-owned oil giants had invested around US$4.6 billion in Venezuela by 2018, according ⁠to data from the American Enterprise Institute think tank, which tracks Chinese overseas corporate investment. - Reuters

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World's tallest bridge opens to traffic in China

 

Engineering marvel: The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world’s highest, is seen in China’s southwest Guizhou province. — AFP

The world’s highest bridge has opened to traffic in the country, state media said, capping an enginee­ring feat three years in the ma­king and snatching the record from another bridge in the same pro­vince.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge towers 625m above a river and vast gorge in the country’s rugged southern province of Guizhou, also home to the 565m Beipanjiang Bridge that is now the world’s second highest.

Live drone footage broadcast by state media yesterday showed vehicles traversing the immense structure, its blue support towers partially engulfed in clouds.

Crowds of onlookers including project engineers and local officials gathered on the bridge for a ceremony to mark the occasion, with several expressing their pride and excitement in live interviews to state media.

“The opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge reduces travel time between the two sides from two hours to two minutes,” Zhang Yin, head of the provincial transport department, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Its opening makes “enormous improvements to regional transportation conditions and (injects) new impetus into regional economic and social development,” she said.

China has invested heavily in major infrastructure projects in recent decades, a period of rapid economic growth and urbanisation in the country.

The hilly province of Guizhou in particular is crisscrossed by thousands of bridges – which now include the world’s two highest.

State news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday that nearly half of the world’s 100 highest bridges are located in the province.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge took more than three years to complete, Xinhua reported.

Its 1,420m main span makes it the “world’s largest-span bridge built in a mountainous area”, it added. — AFP

This bridge is a vivid projection of China’s new development philosophy

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 28, 2025 shows the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in southwest China's Guizhou Province. Photo: Xinhua

On Sunday morning, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge - the "world's tallest bridge" and the control engineering project of the Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway in Southwest China's Guizhou Province - was officially completed and opened to traffic. This engineering marvel, which ranks "world No.1 both vertically and horizontally," not only sets a new record in bridge construction with a vertical height of 625 meters and reduces a two-hour mountain journey to a two-minute drive, but also embodies the concept of adapting to local conditions and pursuing integrated development, offering the world a new dimension of China's high-quality development. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is far more than a simple engineering breakthrough; it is a three-dimensional projection of China's new development philosophy featuring innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development deep in the mountains and valleys, and a concrete manifestation of the transformation from "Made in China" to "Created in China."

Innovation is a pragmatic breakthrough driven by problems. Faced with complex terrain, geological and climatic conditions, the builders adopted an innovative "asymmetrical anchorage design," wind-resistance measures tested through physical wind tunnel experiments, and a fourth-generation "intelligent cable hoisting system." These efforts enabled new breakthroughs in complex bridge engineering, including millimeter-level precision docking of key steel structure joints at an altitude of more than 600 meters. Such innovation was not pursued for its own sake, but arose from the tireless efforts of China's engineers to address the pressing challenge of "turning natural barriers into thoroughfares." It is a concrete example of the principle of the "problem-oriented approach" in China's development philosophy and is a direct expression of the country's new quality productive forces. In this process, the spirit of perseverance embodied by Chinese engineers, akin to the story of "the foolish old man who moves mountains," was fully demonstrated. Through their actions, Chinese engineers have proved that "serving the people" is by no means an empty slogan. 

Coordination is the key engine that activates regional development. Coordinated development is not about mere balance, but about achieving breakthroughs at key nodes to drive overall progress. The opening of the bridge has shortened the journey between Anshun and Liupanshui from two hours to just two minutes. What appears to be a simple shift in time and space is, in fact, a restructuring of the region's economic system. 

While strengthening links between the region and its neighbors, the bridge also creatively integrates infrastructure with cultural tourism through a "bridge plus tourism" model. Projects such as a cloud-top café and a 625-meter bungee jump are incorporated into the bridge complex, linking with surrounding geological landscapes, ethnic minority traditions and red revolutionary sites to generate scale effects and open up new growth points. In due course, under the driving force of the bridge and the comprehensive economic system built around it, a new pattern of regional economic development is bound to emerge.

Green has become an integral element of development that is already embedded in our memory. In the ecologically sensitive karst landscape area, the builders creatively combined the canyon's rock formations with the bridge design, integrating the bridge structure with the canyon landscape. The entire construction process utilized "zero excavation" technology to minimize damage to the native vegetation. This steadfast commitment to the principle that "the ecological red line cannot be crossed" is a vivid manifestation of China's philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." The construction of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge demonstrates that high-quality development can achieve a win-win situation for both economic and ecological benefits. This process of Chinese modernization reshapes the relationship between human activities and the ecological environment and represents an important contribution of China's green development philosophy to the world.

Openness and sharing represent the mutual learning of civilizations, allowing us to share and admire the beauty of each civilization. The bridge significantly enhances the efficiency of transit in southwest Guizhou, directly benefiting approximately 500,000 residents along the route. It connects essential resources for education, healthcare, and employment, embodying the principle of "shared development outcomes for all." China uses modern engineering technology to open up the "veins" of economic development and pave a "pathway to happiness" for the people. In this process, it also refines itself and engages with the world. The bridge's opening not only injects new momentum into domestic regional development but also provides a replicable and scalable model for the globe, contributing a "Chinese solution." This openness and sharing are not merely a simple transfer of technology; they encompass comprehensive collaboration and integration of design concepts, construction standards, and management experiences, reflecting a global vision of "building a community with a shared future for humanity" within the framework of shared development. As reported previously by the European website Modern Diplomacy: When the bridge is inaugurated, "it will not just be Guizhou or China celebrating, but the world witnessing a new milestone in civil engineering and technological innovation."

From the Zhaozhou Bridge and Luoyang Bridge, which embody the wisdom of ancient Chinese engineering, to the Beipanjiang Bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the history of Chinese bridges is a continuous story of breaking through limits and transcending boundaries. This bridge, which spans the canyon, not only establishes a "development corridor" between Anshun and Liupanshui but also conveys to the world in the most direct way that China's development has never been about surpassing others. Instead, it is about achieving a better version of itself, while providing more choices, better paths, and more beautiful visions for the common development of humanity in the process. - Global Times editorial

The evolution of Malaysian foreign policy

Kuala Lumpur once prized non-alignment above all else – now it sees Beijing as more reliable than lectures from the West.- Murni Abdul Hamid

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a parade for Malaysian Independence Day celebrations last month in Putrajaya, Malaysia (Syaiful Redzuan/Anadolu via Getty Images

Malaysia’s approach in navigating great power rivalry since the Cold War has largely been based on the principles of non-alignment, neutralism, and equidistance. However, two contrasting snapshots of the country’s Independence (Merdeka) Day celebration – half a century apart – offer an interesting perspective on whether Malaysia’s contemporary position has shifted away from these principles.

On 31 August 1973, Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, hastily left the joyous Merdeka celebration midway to depart for Algiers and lead the Malaysian delegation to the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) Summit. It was his first time attending the summit. It had taken several attempts for Malaysia to become a NAM member, largely due to Indonesia’s opposition and influence within the Afro-Asian group during the Konfrontasi period. Malaysia’s experience of Konfrontasi and the retreat of the British from the region pushed the country to seek friends among other newly independent states.

When Malaysia finally became a NAM member in 1970, its foreign policy gradually shifted away from heavy reliance on the United Kingdom toward a more neutral and non-aligned stance. Against this background, Tun Razak strongly felt the need for Malaysia to be represented at the highest level in Algiers to signify the country’s commitment to non-alignment – even if it meant leaving the Merdeka celebration halfway.

Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak (Bettmann/Getty Images)

Jump forward just over 50 years to 31 August 2025, Malaysia’s tenth Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, left at the conclusion of the nation’s Merdeka celebration to immediately depart for China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. It was the first time Malaysia had participated in the SCO, in which Malaysia is neither a member nor an observer. It was also the first time a Malaysian leader attended China’s “Victory Parade” in Beijing, which this year took place a few days later, to commemorate the end of the Second World War, alongside other leaders including from Russia, North Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Iran.

Since becoming Prime Minister in late 2022, Anwar has visited China four times, with China’s President and Premier reciprocating accordingly (also a total of four times if including the upcoming ASEAN Summit and other meetings next month).

While China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, relations with China have further intensified in recent years both bilaterally and multilaterally. These include Malaysia’s active involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). Stronger ties also extend to decisions to allow Chinese companies to develop the country’s second 5G network and to revitalise Malaysia’s national car industry, the recent acceptance of China’s vision of building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, and the landmark creation of a bilateral mechanism with China to discuss maritime issues. Malaysia’s decision to join BRICS, and the initiative to bring in China into the ASEAN-GCC platform by hosting the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur, also illustrate the depth of relations.

The actions of the great powers leave little room for Malaysia to manoeuvre, and siding with the more predictable and reliable power seems to be the less risky option.

While Malaysia’s intensification of cooperation with China should not be viewed as a zero-sum game, it is hard to ignore that this occurred against the backdrop of deteriorating relations with the United States. From the perspective of Malaysian leaders, the more benign power and trusted partner today is not the United States, but China. This, in spite of several challenges, particularly in the South China Sea.

In Anwar’s speech during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia earlier this year, he praised China as a rational, steady, and reliable partner amid the turbulence of “economic tribalism” and threats to multilateralism and the rules-based order. Last year, when Anwar spoke off-the-cuff at a business luncheon in honour of Premier Li Qiang in Kuala Lumpur, he commended the attitude of the Chinese leadership as “friendly, courteous, full of respect, [and] understanding of cultures and differences”, in contrast to the “narrative from the others” and the “barrage of questions” from others – especially “the western” – on whether Malaysia’s close relations with China would be in Malaysia’s best interest.

Understandably, as an independent nation, no country appreciates being told who it should be friends with, especially when those doing the lecturing neither act as they preach nor have been reliable friends in the first place.

While closer relations with the United States would still serve Malaysia’s interests – particularly in the realms of the economy and defence – they are proving even more elusive under President Donald Trump. His arbitrary tariff impositions, aggressive rhetoric (even against allies), withdrawals from multilateral organisations, disregard for the rule of law, undermining of the global order, and coddling of Israel have been obstacles for Malaysian leaders in promoting closer ties with the United States. Domestically, various opinion polls in recent years have shown a steady decline in Malaysians’ favourable perceptions towards the United States, while favourable views of China and even Russia have increased significantly.

If the above trend persists, Malaysia might find itself moving even further away from its non-aligned, neutral, and equidistant stances that served it well in the past. At present, however, the actions of the great powers leave little room for Malaysia to manoeuvre, and siding with the more predictable and reliable power seems to be the less risky option.

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Susannah Patton20h ago

Is the US really losing to
China in Southeast Asia?

A major new research project published by the Lowy Institute says yes – but there’s more to the story

Defence diplomacy the best option for Malaysia

Photo: Xinhua via AP

 CHINA’S Victory Parade on Sept 3 (pic) was more than pageantry; it was a warning shot about the future of war. With cyber, space and information warfare now centre stage, Malaysia must turn to its greatest strength – defence diplomacy.

Our ability to build trust, balance powers and shape regional security will determine whether South-east Asia remains stable amid intensifying rivalry.

The parade held in Beijing was more than a spectacle of power. It was a statement, a declaration that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is no longer simply modernising; it is also redefining warfare itself.

For Malaysia and Asean, the lesson is unmistakable – the battlefield of tomorrow will extend far beyond land, sea and air. It will be fought in cyberspace, outer space and the invisible realm of information.

The response must not be passivity but strategy and, above all, defence diplomacy.

For the first time, China showcased three new branches. The Information Support Force, the Cyberspace Force, and the Aerospace Force. These are not symbolic formations.

They signal the elevation of data and algorithms, satellites and electronic warfare to the same status as tanks, ships and aircraft.

China’s message is clear; victory will belong to those who dominate information, not just territory. It is a pivot from platform-centric power to information-centric warfare, an approach that mirrors Nato and US doctrines of multi-domain operations.

Military parades are theatre, but in Beijing theatre is strategy. To its people, China portrays: “We are secure and advanced.” To Washington, it signals: “We can fight across every domain.”

To its neighbours, the message is unmistakable: “We are no longer only a regional power; we are a global power.”

Malaysia can draw at least three key lessons from this signal. First, cyber and space resilience must become national priorities. Our financial systems, communications and power grids remain exposed to sophisticated cyberattacks.

Satellites and networks are potential first targets in any conflict. The upcoming Second Phase of Defence White Paper (2026 – 2030) must treat cyber and space security as essential pillars of national defence.

Second, strategic balancing has become a non-negotiable requirement.

Malaysia cannot afford to be ensnared in a great power rivalry, but we also cannot afford to remain silent. Defence diplomacy has emerged as a fundamental strategy. Engaging China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and others is the instrument that protects our sovereignty and Asean’s neutrality.

Third, innovation in defence is an urgent imperative. The National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN) and Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) must prioritise dual-use technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, cybersecurity solutions and satellite applications. Without innovation, resilience will remain out of reach.

The lesson from Beijing is not that Malaysia should embark on an arms race. It is that we must strengthen defence diplomacy as the first line of security. Defence diplomacy is about building trust with partners, engaging competitors with clarity, and using dialogue to prevent miscalculation.

It means engaging in joint exercises, officer exchanges, technology collaboration and transparent communication.

For our country, it also means positioning ourselves as a bridge, a country trusted enough to convene conversations between rivals, but firm enough to defend our national interests.

China’s parade revealed a military ready to fight across every domain. But Malaysia’s strength does not lie in matching missile for missile. Our strength lies in building coalitions, shaping norms and leading through diplomacy.

The real contest of this century is not only about who parades the largest arsenal but who builds the most resilient, cooperative and stable security architecture. That is the contest where Malaysia, through defence diplomacy, must lead.

RAEISS ILMY RAMLY Dengkil, Selangor

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