When Titans Clash

Amid brewing tensions between the world's two superpowers, Southeast Asia continues to leverage on China's economic engine, while enjoying a security blanket provided by the US. As both sides continue to compete for influence over the region, ASEAN states find themselves entangled in the throes of their conflict. From increasing militarisation in the South China Sea, and the deteriorating of decades-old alliances, to a massive manufacturing diaspora in the region, we examine the quandary the Sino-US rivalry has created for Southeast Asia.

A tech war with China continues under a Biden administration, with profound implications for the world's biggest tech companies like TikTok, Huawei, Facebook and Tesla. Chinese students and scientists in the US grapple with increasing scrutiny as accusations of espionage intensifies. Over in China, how are American tech companies located there, responding to the tech war? If the tech war continues unabated, what is the cost of bifurcation of global technology?

A 3 year trade war has created corporate casualties in both US and China. In China, a dual circulation model is now underway to mitigate the effects of US protectionism. In the US, a Biden administration mulls new economic measures against China, even as industry groups lobby for tariffs to be lifted. Both countries also brace for what used to be unthinkable- the possibility of a financial war.

US China relations are at its worst in modern history, how did the two countries get to this point? Understand the historical forces driving the conflict - from China’s Century of Shame to the slow decay of deindustrialisation in the US. Further adding to tensions is China’s perspective that US meddled in Hong Kong’s internal politics, and the American perspective that China is in part to blame for the coronavirus pandemic. After 4 years of escalating conflict under a Trump administration, what will Biden’s approach to China be?

“Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow”- that is a hot topic of debate in Taiwan. While some groups prepare for war, others in Taiwan urge closer engagement with China to prevent a tragedy. As senior US officials visit Taiwan, China issues stern warnings and sends fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defense zone. With increased tensions, Japan and South Korea raise military spending. What are the possibilities of war in East Asia?

In March 2022, the Indian foreign minister said ties with China cannot be normal as long as there is a large deployment of troops along the disputed border. Many believe this is a potential flashpoint. Ongoing political upheaval in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, further contributes to tension between India and China.

As the Ukraine crisis unfolds, China accuses the US of creating an Indo-Pacific version of NATO, and warns of a “Ukraine style tragedy” for Asia. On the other hand, countries like Japan, Philippines, India, Australia and South Korea, seek closer ties to the US as concerns emerge over China’s actions. Could Asia witness a war in the years ahead?

USA, India, Europe, China - all of them are pursuing industrial policies in earnest, as de-risking with China deepens. What are the consequences of a new subsidy arms race, and how will it shape a new economic world order? In the United States, we examine how a slew of recent policies have lifted the domestic economy but complicates developments elsewhere. In China, we look at how government action has created some of the world’s largest battery and green tech companies. In India, we analyze if it could replace China as a manufacturing powerhouse. In Indonesia, we see how Chinese, South Korean, and Western companies work together to process nickel and build electric vehicles- demonstrating that in a world divided by geopolitics, there is still much need for collaboration.

As the West and Japan pursues a policy of de-risking from China, China’s economy loses billions and foreign investments into the mainland become negative for the first time since 1998. Are we witnessing the end of made-in-China? Or is this the beginning of profound shifts in China towards green tech, high tech, and a more service-oriented economy? With major multinationals pursing a “in China for China” strategy; whilst others double down on the diversification of supply chains, this documentary analyzes the complex business trends unfolding, and what it means for the world’s second largest economy.

Mexico is seeing a manufacturing boom amid US-China trade tensions. More American companies are outsourcing factory operations to Mexico - with, among other reasons, the need to de-risk supply chains. But more Chinese corporations are also investing billions in Mexico as a production base to get closer to regional consumers - a practice called nearshoring - and to get around US tariffs imposed on Chinese exports since the 2018 Trump era. Since 2023, China has overtaken the US as Latin America’s top trading partner.

Some EU and US leaders have accused China of overcapacity, and dumping electric vehicles, solar panels, and batteries on the global market, at artificially low prices. The fear is that this will lead US & EU companies to go bust. China has hit back, saying that there is no overcapacity in its 3 clean tech industries, and accusing some of these countries of being protectionist. Who is right? Are we about to see a trade war erupt between EU and China, similar to what we had seen between the US and China?

On 17th June 2024, Filipino and China Coast Guards clashed at sea. Armed with knives and axes, this is the worst clash in recent memory. With tensions running high, many question if the USA will step in, and whether Manila will invoke the mutual defense treaty it has with the US. As confrontations with China increase in frequency, the Philippines has deepened its partnership with Australia, and also Japan. On 8th July 2024, Japan and the Philippines signed the reciprocal access agreement, which is a landmark defence deal that allows both nations to hold joint military drills in each other’s territories. Why have there been so many clashes between Philippines and China in the South China Sea in the last 2 years? How are countries like the US, Japan and Australia related to the South China Sea conflict?

As China searches for a way to lift its economy, President Xi calls on the country to focus on new quality productive forces. This includes areas like humanoid robotics, AI, biotech, low altitude economy, deep sea and space exploration. This "new quality productive forces" plan is larger in scale and scope than the Made-in-China 2025 industrial plan, which saw China emerge as a global leader in EVs, solar and batteries. With this new focus on high-tech research, is the China economy taking on too much risk? Will these measures lift the China economy for the next 10 years? And how is this new economic plan a reaction to geopolitics and US-China rivalry?

With US tariffs on the rise, experts warn that ASEAN will face increased China exports, putting some factories out of work. Some ASEAN countries have already banned Chinese apps like TEMU and SHEIN, and updated its anti-dumping legislation, as pressure on domestic manufacturers mount. On the other hand, US tariffs on ASEAN exports to its market, is squeezing producers. Entire industries- like the solar panel manufacturing industry- has been decimated due to US tariffs, in countries like Malaysia. ASEAN economies are being squeezed by both the superpowers- US and China, and an intensifying tariff war. In this documentary, policy makers and experts, discuss possible solutions, and how ASEAN will weather this storm.

Temporary truce has been announced in the US-China trade war but experts warn the heated superpower rivalry is far from over, and that the battlefield is actually expanding. The trade war has brought a surge of nationalism within China, further intensifying the country’s efforts to try and overtake the United States in the areas of artificial intelligence, sciences and technology. Amid disputes between the Trump administration and top schools like Harvard, China has also stepped up its efforts to recruit scientific talent of Chinese descent. And as tariffs cause uncertainty in Global South markets, China’s leaders tour ASEAN nations, and host leaders from Latin America, to solidify its geopolitical position. How has the trade war impacted the long-term prospects of the US in the ongoing superpower rivalry? Experts weigh in.

Eighty years after the end of World War II, Japan is rearming as China expands its military. In Taiwan, fears are mounting as the United States warns that a Taiwan contingency could occur by 2027. Across East Asia, security challenges are growing more complex as some countries expand their nuclear arsenals. What are the different Asian perspectives on how to maintain peace?

Countries are racing to mine rare earths within one year, before China’s export restrictions kick in. In October 2025, China announced restrictions on rare earth exports, and also on the technology used to process them. The move set off panic amongst US automakers and defense manufacturers. China agreed to pause these restrictions for a year after the Trump-Xi meeting, but the vulnerability remains. The US had inked rare earth deals with Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand amongst others. Europe and the G7 have also announced rare earth industrial plans. But can they complete mine to magnet operations in just one year? With billions pouring into rare earths in the months ahead, is China at risk of losing its grip on the rare earths industry?