As Russia’s military last week launched globe-spanning drills widely seen as a show of strength directed at the United States, President Vladimir Putin made clear which country he sees as standing by Moscow’s side.

China Coast Guard ships Meishan and Xiushan have arrived in Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok to conduct joint exercises and patrols with their Russian counterparts, RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday.

China on Wednesday announced sanctions on American companies selling arms to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and threatens to annex by force. Chinese state media made the announcement,

China's military said it tracked and tailed the US P-8A anti-submarine patrol craft flying through the Taiwan Strait.

The United States sent a military aircraft to the Taiwan Strait, near China, on Tuesday after defense officials from the two sides discussed issues in relation to the contested waterway. The U.S. Navy said a P-8A "Poseidon" maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft passed over the Taiwan Strait in international airspace.

Oil prices were steady on Tuesday, after rising more than $1 in the previous session, as traders assessed concerns over U.S. production in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine and also the prospect of lower U.

Oil futures rose Monday as traders shook off another round of lackluster data from China to focus on upcoming decisions by global central banks during a week that’s likely to see “amplified” volatility.