The Cook Islands—population 15,000—are being courted by the two superpowers as they hunt for rare earths, and could stand to reap a windfall.

The report, produced each year by the Pentagon, warns Beijing is gearing up for conflict — potentially over Taiwan — within the next two years.

BEIJING -- Beijing imposed sanctions on Friday against 20 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 executives, a week after Washington annoucned large-scale arms sales to Taiwan. The sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organizations from dealing with them, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

China has ample reason to oppose the build-up of American military might in Caribbean Sea –and the recent US interceptions of tankers hauling Venezuelan oil.

A deadly standoff jolted India to stitch together a huge network of roads, tunnels and landing strips needed to move soldiers and supplies to the mountainous border region.

The imposed sanctions are largely symbolic, as American defense firms’ business with China is extremely limited.

China’s industrial profits fell for a second month in November, adding to signs that weakening domestic demand and persistent deflation are weighing on corporate earnings.

Japan ’s Cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming fiscal year, accelerating a military buildup that includes cruise missiles and unmanned systems as tensions rise with China.

The vote in Myanmar, widely seen as a sham, is a bid for legitimacy by the military government. It is also a way for Beijing to exert its influence there.

Commerce Department will issue final duty orders on disposable food containers from China and Vietnam following trade commission vote on unfair import practices.