The relationship between the U.S. and China has always been characterized by mistrust. The world's two largest economies view each other as rivals, and their latest dispute was ignited by a white balloon that China flew over U.S. territory. The US government says that its Air Force shot down a spy balloon that American media describes as part of a global Chinese surveillance system.

After a Chinese "spy balloon" was sighted over the United States, another was spotted over Latin America. DW sums up what know about them so far.

Canberra has made it clear that it is not concerned about how China might react. Last year, both the UK and the US banned several similar Chinese tech products.

The operation to gather pieces of the balloon comes as US officials reportedly said the device was part of a vast spy program. The incident has brought increased strain on US-China ties.

A series of raids have resulted in the arrest of 25 alleged members of a trafficking ring that forced Chinese women into sex work in Europe.

The US has shot down a Chinese balloon that had been floating over the mainland for days. China has claimed the US overreacted by downing what it said was a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.

Many people in China are excited about traveling abroad as COVID restrictions are eased and borders are set to reopen on January 8. Others remain cautious, with more countries imposing restrictions for Chinese visitors.

Indian and Chinese troops have clashed on their disputed Himalayan border, the first known incident between the two nuclear-armed Asian powers in nearly two years.

We take a look at how the press is covering the anti-Covid protests in China. We also discuss the anti-regime movement in Iran and a controversial World Cup move to support it. In food news, we find out the challenges facing the EU chocolate industry and how dolphins aren't put off by the taste of hot peppers.

Allies in the Standing Committee back their leader's strict lockdown policy despite damage to the economy. Industrial Guangzhou's 19 million residents have been told to stay home.

An index measuring China's semiconductor firms tumbled nearly 6%, and Shanghai's tech-focused board STAR Market declined 3.6%. The raft of measures could amount to the biggest shift in U.S. policy toward shipping technology to China since the 1990s.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York.