KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Azam Baki has commenced legal action over a recent Bloomberg report which he described as libellous, misleading and damaging to his reputation and the integrity of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
China may surpass the US as the world’s biggest economy in a decade, and it could attempt to take Taiwan by force even though the US is likely to remain the strongest military power , a Washington-based think tank found in a survey with hundreds of geopolitical forecasters .
58 per cent of surveyed experts believed that China will be the world’s top economic power by 2036, while 33 per cent expected the US to maintain its economic dominance, according to a report published on Tuesday by the Atlantic Council. Experts are split on whether the US or China will lead in technological innovation and diplomatic influence, indicating that they could be “peer competitors” in these areas, according to the report. The US held a narrow lead in both domains with 47 per cent believing it will be the largest technological power in 2036, with China trailing at 44 per cent. 38 per cent and 33 per cent of experts respectively expected the US and China to have a lead in diplomatic influence. “I think we underestimate China’s strengths and ambitions at our peril,” Melanie Hart, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, said at an event in Washington on Tuesday. “I would say that across the board we are still ahead, but we have almost zero margin for error.” Surveyed analysts, however, overwhelmingly expected the US to remain as the dominant military power, with nearly 73 per cent of them perceiving so and only 24 per cent expecting the same for China.by force within the next decade, up from 65 per cent last year and 50 per cent in 2024. Beijing views the self-ruled island as a part of China and has repeatedly pledged to reunite it by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons. But Hart indicated that the possibility of China making a move in the near term is lower than a year ago. “They seem to have the feeling at this moment in time that maybe time is actually on their side, and if they wait things out, Taiwan will evolve in a direction that brings it closer to China, and there’s no need to move in the near term,” she said. “But I think we have to be aware that at least for the next probably two to five years, Beijing’s focus is going to be looking for every opportunity to erode Taiwan’s national position and make the island feel isolated,” Hart said. “We have to be very vigilant for that.” The think tank’s report polled 447 “geostrategists and foresight practitioners” from various types of organisations from the private sector, government, non-profit or academic institutions. More than half of them are in the US, and about 75 per cent of them are male and aged over 50, according to the Atlantic Council. More than 40 per cent of respondents envisioned another world war within the next 10 years, and 43 per cent within this group expected the likely trigger to be in Taiwan or the East and South China Seas, according to the report. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POSTSingapore's Budget 2026: Government to raise EP, S Pass qualifying salaries from 2027Singapore’s Nicklaus Chiam extends lead to two shots at halfway stage of PKNS Selangor MastersPhilippines Rianne Malixi flies high with an eagle and is in tied fourth-place at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship
China US Economy Military Power Technological Innovation Diplomatic Influence Taiwan Force Atlantic Council Geopolitical Forecasters
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall Opens OSC Portal to Public, Enhancing Transparency in Urban PlanningKuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has launched a public access portal to its One Stop Centre (OSC), marking a significant step towards greater transparency and public involvement in urban planning. This initiative allows residents to access information about development projects, fostering accountability and ensuring that city planning aligns with public interests. The move reflects a broader commitment to open governance and citizen engagement.
Read more »
AirAsia X unveils Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London route, establishing Middle Eastern hubAirAsia X unveils Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London route; flights to commence in June.
Read more »
AirAsia X Announces New Route Linking Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and LondonAirAsia X is expanding its global footprint with a new international route connecting Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and London's Gatwick Airport. Bahrain will serve as a strategic hub, and the route is expected to launch in June 2026. This move is part of a larger plan for expansion and fleet investment.
Read more »
Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur Presents Hearts & Harvest: A Festive Dining CelebrationCelebrate love and abundance at Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur's Hearts & Harvest. This special dining experience at Tuai + Till blends Valentine's Day romance with Lunar New Year festivities, offering a curated buffet of Malaysian and Western flavors on February 14th and 15th, 2026.
Read more »
Kuala Krai trainee doctor pleads not guilty to outraging woman’s modesty, possessing obscene materialKUALA KRAI, Feb 12 — A 26-year-old trainee doctor pleaded not guilty yesterday to outraging a woman’s modesty and possessing obscene material at Hospital Sultan Ismail Petra in...
Read more »
Taiwan leader warns neighbours could be ‘next in line’ if China seizes islandTAIPEI, Feb 12 — Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te warned that countries in the region would be China’s next targets should Beijing seize the democratic island, as he insisted...
Read more »