A US accord on critical minerals to broker an end to the Ukraine war could blunt Chinese export controls, analysts said, but not counteract them.

The naval drills, which include "striking maritime targets," will "strengthen military mutual trust" between Beijing, Moscow and Tehran, China said.

China will boost its defence spending by 7.2% this year, maintaining a steady growth rate as Beijing faces headwinds from three years of sluggish economic expansion and mounting geopolitical challenges from Taiwan to Ukraine.

Foreign minister presents China as a source of stability in uncertain world and takes questions on US ties, Ukraine and the South China Sea.

A senior Taiwan official pointed to companies in Ukraine including Uber and Microsoft which continued to provide critical services.

Thanks for joining me on our live blog of US President Donald Trump’s address to Congress. You can read US correspondent Michael Koziol’s report on the address here. Here are

China pushed back against recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, declaring that Washington could never "sow discord" in its ties with Moscow. Newsweek reached out to the White House and the Russian Foreign Ministry via email for comment.

When I saw the name "America" aligning itself with China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, a shame swept over me I never knew before.

The US president wants critical minerals in Greenland and Ukraine. Now Moscow has offered access to the key metals.

Fast-moving developments on Ukraine and Europe will no doubt continue to dominate financial markets in the coming week, while U.S. data includes key inflation numbers and China looks determined to hold its ground as trade tensions ratchet up.