BEIJING, June 8 (Reuters) - China's export growth likely strengthened in May, underpinned by a backlog of overseas orders brought forward to pre-empt energy price pressures tied to the Gulf war, alongside sustained global demand for semiconductors and AI-related components.

China’s leader harbours no such hopes as he makes his second visit to North Korea, from June 8th to 9th. One of his main goals is to counterbalance Russian influence there, which has grown much stronger since Mr Kim sent troops to fight against Ukraine in 2024.

China's nuclear stockpile has risen to 620 warheads, but SIPRI indicates that its expanding missile infrastructure, increasing nuclear readiness and military modernisation may matter more than the increase in warhead numbers alone.

Take a Number: A Striking Figure In Economic News Today

TAIPEI, June 8 (Reuters) - Chinese Coast Guard patrols to the east of Taiwan are a "provocative act" and the military will closely coordinate with the island's Coast Guard in responding, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Monday.

Beijing has caught up with and then surpassed the West across an impressive number of technologies and economic sectors, seeking to control entire value chains.