French President Emmanuel Macron called on Indo-Pacific nations to establish a "new coalition" to counter the "constraints and side effects" stemming from the growing U.S.-China rivalry. Macron's speech came as the European leader sought to play up the country as a counterweight to the two superpowers.

The French leader said he wants to be able to cooperate with the US at the same time as compete with but not confront China. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.