Taiwan will simulate a Chinese blockade and invasion of the democratic island in its annual military and civil defence drills next week, as President Lai Ching-te warned on Tuesday the island was already facing China's "war without gun smoke".
Factory activity in many Asian economies shrank in June as U.S. tariff uncertainty kept demand low, but signs of modest relief for manufacturers raise the stakes in trade talks with Washington amid the region's gloomy economic recovery prospects.
China has imposed sanctions on former Philippines Senator Francis Tolentino, the country's foreign ministry announced on Tuesday, citing "his egregious conduct on China-related issues", a day after his term officially ended.