https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/520951/feed en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Fran Lu Fran Lu An unconventional course at prestigious Nanjing University encourages students to call strangers to hone their social skills, challenging the traditional value of “do more, speak less”. At the top-tier institution in Jiangsu province, eastern China, former television producer and director Xu Kai launched a course called “Oral Expression” in 2015. Over the years, it has become one of the students’ favourite public courses. The course includes a legendary assignment: students must call a stranger... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3371570/china-university-offers-course-pushing-students-call-strangers-build-confidence-social-skills https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3371570/china-university-offers-course-pushing-students-call-strangers-build-confidence-social-skills Wed, 21 Oct 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Sherry Wang Sherry Wang Most G20 members, including the European Union, signed a US-led joint statement calling for action to eliminate industrial overcapacity, a move experts say reflects a coordinated effort by Washington and Brussels to assemble a “multilateral coalition” to pressure Beijing amid growing trade imbalances. In the statement, issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Wednesday, the US and 14 other economies agreed to “take effective actions” to address structural excess capacity... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/policy/article/3370184/washington-brussels-forge-multilateral-coalition-against-chinas-industrial-surge https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/policy/article/3370184/washington-brussels-forge-multilateral-coalition-against-chinas-industrial-surge Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:06 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen When Donald Trump arrives in Shenzhen for the November Apec summit, he will face a Chinese leader even more confident than the one who left Washington this week after a state visit heavy on pageantry but light on concrete deliverables. Experts attributed this confidence to three key factors – a newly upgraded bilateral framework seeking a “constructive relationship of strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity”, the warmer tone during Xi’s three-day visit, and – crucially –... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368914/3-top-reasons-trump-will-face-stronger-xi-jinping-november-apec-forum-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368914/3-top-reasons-trump-will-face-stronger-xi-jinping-november-apec-forum-china Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:00:08 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she and Donald Trump had reaffirmed their collaboration on issues relating to Beijing in a phone call on Saturday. The call followed the US president’s nostalgic invocation of the World War II alliance with China during his summit with Xi Jinping, remarks that sent shock waves through Tokyo. Trump made the references as he welcomed the Chinese president to the White House on Thursday for his first state visit to Washington in over a decade. In a social... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368878/will-trump-xi-wartime-ally-nostalgia-prompt-japanese-rethink-china-ties https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368878/will-trump-xi-wartime-ally-nostalgia-prompt-japanese-rethink-china-ties Sat, 26 Sep 2026 03:00:10 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang Neurobiologist Ye Bing is returning to China after a long period in the United States, but he says his move is not linked to the suicide of another Chinese scholar at the same university or US policy under the Trump administration. Ye said his decision to join Nanjing University and leave the University of Michigan was not influenced by the death of Chinese scholar Wang Danhao on the same campus six months earlier – a day after Wang was interviewed by US Homeland Security officers. “This is a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3368490/neurobiologist-ye-bing-says-his-return-china-not-spurred-michigan-campus-tragedy https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3368490/neurobiologist-ye-bing-says-his-return-china-not-spurred-michigan-campus-tragedy Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:11 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang A hospital in east China has used reprogrammed stem cells to treat severe heart failure, with 90 per cent of patients showing significant recovery in heart function after the novel therapy. On Wednesday, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, affiliated with Nanjing University, released the long-term follow-up results of a phase 2 clinical study, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine. While dead heart muscle cannot regrow, this stem cell technology can help ageing or damaged hearts grow new... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3364718/chinese-stem-cell-therapy-reverses-heart-failure-90-patients-landmark-trial https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3364718/chinese-stem-cell-therapy-reverses-heart-failure-90-patients-landmark-trial Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:00:10 +0000 Ling Xin Ling Xin A China-led team has cleared the last major hurdle in the race to commercialise the most promising alternative to conventional silicon solar technology, paving the way for the next generation of low-cost, high-efficiency panels to be made on an industrial scale. Researchers from China and Canada, led by Nanjing University, have developed a super-stable coating for perovskite – an ultra-thin, lightweight material that can be printed onto large surfaces – suitable for patching the tiny defects... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3364155/chinas-1mw-perovskite-solar-farm-beats-silicon-system-industrial-scale-test https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3364155/chinas-1mw-perovskite-solar-farm-beats-silicon-system-industrial-scale-test Sat, 15 Aug 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Chao Kong Chao Kong A study analysing data from hundreds of countries and regions suggests China’s Belt and Road Initiative is linked to better governance and economic development, according to researchers from Nanjing University. They found the trade and investment scheme – which spans Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond – was also associated with improved corruption control and that it reduced debt risks. The team – from the university’s Centre for Asia-Pacific Development Studies and led by Mao Weizhun – said their... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3363782/nearly-200-country-study-shows-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-cuts-debt-and-corruption https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3363782/nearly-200-country-study-shows-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-cuts-debt-and-corruption Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen In a historic breakthrough, a Chinese-led international team of scientists has confirmed the existence of the glueball – a rare form of matter made entirely of force. The finding was announced by a Chinese research team on Thursday at the International Conference on High Energy Physics in Natal, Brazil. Held every two years, the event features some of the most significant advancements in the field. After 15 years of research, the team finally gathered definitive evidence of glueballs using the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3363404/what-glueball-chinese-led-team-finds-rare-particle-made-entirely-force https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3363404/what-glueball-chinese-led-team-finds-rare-particle-made-entirely-force Sat, 08 Aug 2026 13:00:11 +0000 Victoria Bela Victoria Bela Following in the footprints of its ambitious Great Green Wall, China is leaning into a solar-powered pivot as part of its decades-long effort to tackle desertification in the arid north. The expanding Great Solar Wall initiative, centred in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, could help to power China’s economic hubs as the country accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels. The idea is to transform the desert into solar power hubs to generate clean energy while at the same time halting... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3363108/great-solar-wall-china-doubles-down-its-ambitious-effort-tame-deserts https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3363108/great-solar-wall-china-doubles-down-its-ambitious-effort-tame-deserts Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:00:06 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Chinese researchers have called for more coordination among the country’s maritime authorities to counter an American strategy that has put pressure on Beijing across three critical waterways in the first island chain. By synchronising operations across flashpoints in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, Washington’s “three seas linkage” strategy aims to force Beijing into multi-front operations and strategic overextension, warned Yue Shengsong, an associate professor... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3361375/us-mounts-pressure-across-3-maritime-flashpoints-how-should-china-respond https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3361375/us-mounts-pressure-across-3-maritime-flashpoints-how-should-china-respond Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:00:27 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang Chen Weiqiang, formerly a tenured professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering at New York University (NYU), has joined the school of biomedical engineering at Nanjing University as a distinguished professor. “Professor Chen has long been deeply engaged in top overseas universities, achieving remarkable results in cutting-edge fields such as cellular biomechanics and organ chips,” Nanjing University assistant president Jiang Tian said, while introducing him. “He chose to join Nanjing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3357635/cancer-chip-pioneer-chen-weiqiang-returns-china-new-york-university https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3357635/cancer-chip-pioneer-chen-weiqiang-returns-china-new-york-university Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:00:11 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen The Middle East conflict has shaken up the global energy supply chain and Beijing needs to do more to protect shipments – such as finding alternative routes and boosting escort capabilities, according to industry analysts. Lu Ruquan, president of the China National Petroleum Corporation Economics and Technology Research Institute, said the country should “strengthen escort capabilities, emergency responses and safety guarantees at critical nodes”. Writing in the journal International Petroleum... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3357511/china-urged-strengthen-navy-escorts-and-find-other-routes-secure-energy-supply https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3357511/china-urged-strengthen-navy-escorts-and-find-other-routes-secure-energy-supply Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:00:14 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang A materials scientist whose career took him from rural China to California is heading for a post in Macau after 30 years in the United States. According to the University of Macau’s website, Pei Qibing has been appointed chair professor and director of the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering. Pei, an emeritus professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, began his studies in a very different world, attending a small rural school on an island in the Yangtze River in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3357040/chinese-materials-scientist-pei-qibing-takes-new-post-macau https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3357040/chinese-materials-scientist-pei-qibing-takes-new-post-macau Sun, 14 Jun 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao At Changxin Memory Technologies’ headquarters in Hefei, the capital of central China’s Anhui province, the sprawling production facilities seem to reflect a broader, citywide optimism. For years, the factory was the quiet epicentre of a high-stakes gamble in China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency drive. Today, it is the site of a historic vindication, as the company – better known as CXMT – pushes for a massive initial public offering on Shanghai’s Nasdaq-style Star Market that promises to be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356363/how-chinas-hefei-model-spawned-chipmakers-multibillion-dollar-ipo-plan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356363/how-chinas-hefei-model-spawned-chipmakers-multibillion-dollar-ipo-plan Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Zhang Tong Zhang Tong Chinese researchers, in collaboration with Huawei Technologies, have built the world’s first parallel processor using a two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor. As silicon devices approach their physical size limits, Moore’s Law – the observation that computing power doubles roughly every two years, while the cost of computers is cut in half – is hitting a wall. But two-dimensional materials such as molybdenum disulfide are naturally atom-thin, allowing electrons to move stably and efficiently and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3355206/huawei-and-scientists-build-2d-parallel-computing-chip-rewrites-moores-law https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3355206/huawei-and-scientists-build-2d-parallel-computing-chip-rewrites-moores-law Thu, 28 May 2026 13:00:38 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang The results of the Xi-Trump summit and their implications for regional security will take centre stage this week during Asia’s largest defence forum, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, according to analysts. Zhu Feng, dean of Nanjing University’s School of International Studies, said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech at the forum would serve as an important gauge of how much the talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump had helped stabilise... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3355075/what-watch-shangri-la-dialogue-after-trumps-china-visit-resets-ties https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3355075/what-watch-shangri-la-dialogue-after-trumps-china-visit-resets-ties Wed, 27 May 2026 12:44:27 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Prestigious universities in China carry a rich tradition of showcasing their names on entrance gates, inscribed in calligraphy by renowned political leaders, reflecting both political history and academic prestige. Calligraphy, the art of writing, is a revered traditional Chinese art form that was historically valued above all others. In ancient China, calligraphy was an elite art, its aesthetics meticulously regulated by imperial authority. For instance, during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3354085/legacy-ink-how-calligraphy-links-chinas-political-heritage-academic-institutions https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3354085/legacy-ink-how-calligraphy-links-chinas-political-heritage-academic-institutions Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Amber Wang,Alcott Wei,Lawrence Chung Amber Wang,Alcott Wei,Lawrence Chung Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the “Taiwan question” early in his summit with US counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday, warning that any mishandling of the critical issue could lead to conflict and push relations into an “extremely dangerous situation”. Xi’s messaging on Taiwan was tougher in tone than during their last Beijing summit in 2017, analysts noted. They suggested that managing this issue would be the primary factor for ensuring what the Chinese leader called “constructive... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3353604/xi-warns-trump-about-extremely-dangerous-risks-if-taiwan-issue-mishandled https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3353604/xi-warns-trump-about-extremely-dangerous-risks-if-taiwan-issue-mishandled Thu, 14 May 2026 14:12:15 +0000 Amber Wang,Alcott Wei Amber Wang,Alcott Wei US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s rare presence in President Donald Trump’s entourage to Beijing signals a willingness on both sides to strengthen military communications to de-escalate and avoid crises, and suggests US arms sales to Taiwan will feature in talks, analysts say. The Chinese experts expected Beijing to include Defence Minister Dong Jun in talks during the summit, with one source suggesting that Dong and Hegseth might also hold separate negotiations on the sidelines of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3353458/what-does-pentagon-chief-hegseths-presence-china-say-about-trumps-military-agenda https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3353458/what-does-pentagon-chief-hegseths-presence-china-say-about-trumps-military-agenda Wed, 13 May 2026 13:23:22 +0000 Laura Zhou,Cao Jiaxuan Laura Zhou,Cao Jiaxuan As US President Donald Trump prepares to visit Beijing next week after a six-week delay, the cause of the delay – the war on Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz – risks becoming a fresh point of friction in his summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. While both China and the US stand to benefit from the reopening of the strait and a permanent end to the war, Beijing and Washington have viewed the crisis through different lenses and sharply diverged over how to achieve... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352990/xi-trump-summit-why-iran-war-could-become-fresh-point-friction https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352990/xi-trump-summit-why-iran-war-could-become-fresh-point-friction Sat, 09 May 2026 09:04:54 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen US President Donald Trump’s landmark visit to China comes as the Iran war disrupts global energy supplies, fuels economic uncertainty and adds fresh strain to Washington-Beijing ties. In the latest part of a series examining how rivalry, interdependence and geopolitical crises are reshaping the relationship between the two powers, we look at their make-or-break contest unfolding beneath the ocean surface. Last year’s military blockbuster Operation Hadal was China’s first high-budget film to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352917/latest-us-china-rivalry-combines-undersea-dominance-race-riches https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352917/latest-us-china-rivalry-combines-undersea-dominance-race-riches Fri, 08 May 2026 22:00:20 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang A young scientist who was a leader in Britain’s AI chip field has returned to China, joining Nanjing University earlier this year as an associate professor at its School of Artificial Intelligence. Song Yuhang, whose published papers on artificial intelligence (AI) have been widely cited and reported, obtained his PhD from the University of Oxford in 2022, and is also a recipient of the coveted JP Morgan AI Research Award. According to Song, he and his fellow Oxford PhD candidate Walter Goodwin... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3351871/oxford-ai-star-song-yuhang-returns-china-why-did-he-leave-chip-start https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3351871/oxford-ai-star-song-yuhang-returns-china-why-did-he-leave-chip-start Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:00:09 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang The failure of the weekend US-Iran peace talks in Pakistan has left US President Donald Trump with a tough choice on resuming strikes, according to Chinese analysts. With midterm elections looming, further conflict would be unpopular in the United States but no military action would mean a continued stalemate over access to the Strait of Hormuz. The strait and Iran’s nuclear issues were among the main points debated during 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, according to Iranian officials. Those... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3349805/trump-faces-dilemma-aftermath-failed-us-iran-peace-talks https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3349805/trump-faces-dilemma-aftermath-failed-us-iran-peace-talks Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:00:09 +0000 Jane Cai Jane Cai “I can’t wait to watch the game – it’s Lion’s Head Meatballs versus Hairy Crab!” Liu Jieling, a 42-year-old company executive from Suzhou, joked about a derby clash pitting a side inspired by her city’s signature crustacean cuisine against one by Yangzhou’s steamed meatballs. The 2026 season of the Jiangsu City Football League – popularly known as the Su Super League – kicks off on Saturday, and the amateur tournament in Jiangsu, a province in eastern China, is already generating huge buzz... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349732/winners-chinas-growing-intercity-football-rivalries-may-surprise-you https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349732/winners-chinas-growing-intercity-football-rivalries-may-surprise-you Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:00:17 +0000 Alyssa Chen,Fan Chen Alyssa Chen,Fan Chen The United States boasts military superiority over Iran but has emerged as the strategic loser in the five-week conflict, with gains limited to a fragile two-week ceasefire and conditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to analysts. Shortly before US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to meet his demands or face destruction of its civilian infrastructure, the US and Iran entered a two-week ceasefire agreement mediated by Pakistan. Beijing reportedly intervened at the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349423/why-us-iran-ceasefire-seen-failure-donald-trump https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349423/why-us-iran-ceasefire-seen-failure-donald-trump Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:00:07 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen Whether the US-Israeli war on Iran wraps up quickly or drags on, the repercussions will be felt for years, reshaping warfare, geopolitics and energy security as well as how the world sees the United States and its tactical and strategic capabilities. In the second of a three-part series, we examine some of the implications likely to unfold over months and years, affecting the future of conflict in an increasingly unstable world. As the United States and Israel wage war on Iran, they are also... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3349261/missile-barrage-iran-continues-what-it-teaching-china-about-us-war-resilience https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3349261/missile-barrage-iran-continues-what-it-teaching-china-about-us-war-resilience Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:00:12 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou Despite land reclamation efforts in the fiercely contested South China Sea, an unusual silence has fallen between Beijing and Hanoi over their rival claims. Observers said this suggested both sides were prioritising pragmatism to keep tensions in check. In March, months into reports suggesting continued Chinese dredging activities at Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands, Hanoi broke its silence by lodging a protest with Beijing over what it called “illegal and invalid” foreign... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348763/why-china-and-vietnam-are-shifting-confrontation-calm-south-china-sea-claims https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348763/why-china-and-vietnam-are-shifting-confrontation-calm-south-china-sea-claims Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:01:08 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang Francois Penz, former head of the department of architecture at the University of Cambridge and a pioneer in the interdisciplinary field of architecture and film, has joined Nanjing University on a full-time basis. The school of architecture and urban planning of Nanjing University announced the appointment on its social media account on March 17. Penz is an emeritus professor at the university, a former director of The Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies, a fellow of Darwin... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3347941/cambridge-top-architect-francois-penz-relocates-china-uk https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3347941/cambridge-top-architect-francois-penz-relocates-china-uk Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Amber Wang,Dewey Sim,Laura Zhou Amber Wang,Dewey Sim,Laura Zhou Vladimir Putin is expected to visit China soon after Donald Trump’s trip in May in a diplomatic double-header that would be the first time Beijing has hosted the leaders of the US and Russia in the same month outside a multilateral event. According to Chinese analysts, the back-to-back visits highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with both major powers amid rising global turbulence. Trump’s long-planned trip to Beijing was expected to take place from May 14 to 15, the White... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348148/what-does-it-mean-china-if-donald-trump-and-vladimir-putin-visit-back-back https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348148/what-does-it-mean-china-if-donald-trump-and-vladimir-putin-visit-back-back Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:00:10 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei US air strikes may have weakened Iran’s ability to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, but in the short term it is probably too risky to provide a military escort for oil tankers because of the threat from drones and mines, according to Chinese analysts. Multiple media reports have said the United States was considering the use of ground troops to open the waterway, but many military observers have argued this would not be enough without further protracted fighting. The strait is a vital shipping... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3347370/can-us-reopen-strait-hormuz-many-military-analysts-are-sceptical https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3347370/can-us-reopen-strait-hormuz-many-military-analysts-are-sceptical Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:00:56 +0000 Alcott Wei,Seong Hyeon Choi Alcott Wei,Seong Hyeon Choi Iran’s power structure, succession mechanism and geographic conditions are all factors in its military resilience, despite the decapitation of its leadership by the US and Israel, according to Chinese experts. They also said the United States was unlikely to achieve regime change in Iran without deploying ground forces, a lesson one expert argued Beijing would take into account for any operation on Taiwan. Beginning on February 28, the US and Israel have killed a string of senior Iranian... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3347070/chinese-experts-assess-military-decapitation-iran-venezuela-lessons-closer-home https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3347070/chinese-experts-assess-military-decapitation-iran-venezuela-lessons-closer-home Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:37:24 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao Trump’s threat to postpone his Beijing trip unless China helps break Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has fused two crises Beijing had sought to keep apart: the unravelling of Middle East stability and the fragile thaw in US–China relations. China, the world’s largest buyer of Gulf oil, is now being forced to weigh its economic reliance on stable energy routes against its tradition of non‑interference in diplomacy, according to observers. While Beijing is eager to host Trump for a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346792/china-under-pressure-trump-ties-high-stakes-summit-strait-hormuz-crisis https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346792/china-under-pressure-trump-ties-high-stakes-summit-strait-hormuz-crisis Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:00:10 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao As US President Donald Trump prepares for his first China trip in nearly a decade, Chinese scholars see an opportunity to steer ties away from confrontation and towards a managed coexistence. Speakers at a seminar hosted by the University of Hong Kong’s Centre on Contemporary China and the World last week were cautiously optimistic about prospects for the relationship. That was despite Washington’s strategic pullback, heightened sensitivities over the Taiwan Strait, and intensifying conflict in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346061/love-and-hate-nationalism-can-xi-and-trump-rebalance-ties https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346061/love-and-hate-nationalism-can-xi-and-trump-rebalance-ties Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:00:08 +0000 Amber Wang,Alcott Wei Amber Wang,Alcott Wei The Chinese defence minister has signalled strategic caution with his call for the country to “shape” a stable environment for Beijing’s broader political and diplomatic agenda, according to analysts. Dong Jun made the call on Friday during a group discussion involving military and armed police lawmakers at the country’s annual legislative gathering in Beijing. According to meeting minutes released to the media, Dong stressed four times in his fewer than 400-word remarks that the military’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3346113/stability-comes-first-chinese-defence-chief-signals-beijings-strategic-caution https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3346113/stability-comes-first-chinese-defence-chief-signals-beijings-strategic-caution Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:32 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou Beijing’s top diplomat has issued a stark warning against any attempt to thwart reunification with Taiwan and repeated his country’s criticism of Tokyo, dimming hopes that the diplomatic row sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan would come to an end any time soon. The comments by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, delivered in a press conference on Sunday as part of the “two sessions”, were the latest in a series of strong criticisms by Beijing officials following... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345882/wang-yi-warns-japan-taiwan-red-line-dashing-hopes-ending-diplomatic-row https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345882/wang-yi-warns-japan-taiwan-red-line-dashing-hopes-ending-diplomatic-row Sun, 08 Mar 2026 10:31:05 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang China and Iran may be strategic partners but, as was the case with America’s special operation in Venezuela in January, China has offered no security support to Iran over the US and Israeli attacks. The decision was based on a consideration of Beijing’s own interests, its ties with the US and other countries, and to minimise military and financial risks to China, according to analysts. Since the large-scale attacks against Iran began over the weekend, Beijing has limited its response to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3345387/why-china-staying-sidelines-us-iran-conflict https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3345387/why-china-staying-sidelines-us-iran-conflict Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Orange Wang,Fan Chen Orange Wang,Fan Chen Taiwan is likely to be “the most critical and contentious” issue when US President Donald Trump meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in less than two months, according to analysts, who called on Beijing and Washington to “turn the page” on trade. They also warned there was little chance the powers would make headway on nuclear arms control – an increasingly important fault line in bilateral ties – during Trump’s visit. While his precise arrival dates were still under discussion, Trump was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343363/taiwan-tensions-poised-be-primary-flashpoint-donald-trumps-beijing-agenda https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343363/taiwan-tensions-poised-be-primary-flashpoint-donald-trumps-beijing-agenda Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:00:13 +0000 Cao Jiaxuan Cao Jiaxuan A deepening cash crunch at the United Nations has reignited debate over the future of multilateralism, with analysts warning that the crisis also reflects a more profound shift in how the United States views the world body. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week warned that the organisation was at risk of “imminent financial collapse” as unpaid contributions threatened programme delivery, with funds potentially running out by July. In a rare letter addressed to all 193 member states,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342614/un-grapples-cash-crisis-dont-expect-china-fill-gap-experts-say https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342614/un-grapples-cash-crisis-dont-expect-china-fill-gap-experts-say Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is said to be weighing up an early election, a move that could put her in a stronger position with both China and the United States if she secures a decisive win, according to observers. But a diplomatic thaw between Japan and China is not expected any time soon. Media reports in recent days have suggested that Takaichi may call a snap general election to capitalise on her high approval ratings. Citing government sources, the Yomiuri Shinbun reported on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339685/how-snap-election-japan-could-put-sanae-takaichi-stronger-position-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339685/how-snap-election-japan-could-put-sanae-takaichi-stronger-position-china Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:00:10 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang For three decades, Xu Chongyu was Europe’s secret weapon against the rising tides. Working from the University of Oslo, Xu developed hydrological models that helped to guard cities from Copenhagen to Brussels, predicting floods before the first clouds formed. But the climate clock was ticking fast and his homeland needed him, so the Chinese-born scientist decided to leave. A homecoming ceremony was held for Xu on December 3 at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU)... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3336213/flood-expert-xu-chongyu-leaves-europe-china-climate-change-speeds https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3336213/flood-expert-xu-chongyu-leaves-europe-china-climate-change-speeds Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Vanessa Cai,Orange Wang Vanessa Cai,Orange Wang US President Donald Trump’s phone calls with both his Chinese and Japanese counterparts this week suggest Washington is engaged in a delicate balancing act over the Taiwan issue. These high-level communications are also intended as a message to Japan, and other US allies, that Taiwan is not a top priority for the Trump administration and should not disrupt the stabilisation of Sino-American ties, according to diplomatic observers. On Tuesday morning, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334139/trumps-calls-xi-and-takaichi-hint-he-wont-let-taiwan-derail-beijing-ties https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334139/trumps-calls-xi-and-takaichi-hint-he-wont-let-taiwan-derail-beijing-ties Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:57:13 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim In a span of just four days last week, Beijing’s envoy to the United Nations criticised Japan – and its leader’s comments related to Taiwan – twice. Fu Cong first said, during a debate on reforming the UN Security Council last Tuesday, that Tokyo was “totally unqualified” to seek a permanent seat on the group, calling Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s earlier comments on Taiwan “brazen” and “provocative”. Takaichi on November 7 suggested that Japan could deploy its military forces in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334131/why-china-took-japan-criticism-un-twice-did-not-raise-it-g20 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334131/why-china-took-japan-criticism-un-twice-did-not-raise-it-g20 Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:35:07 +0000 Sylvie Zhuang Sylvie Zhuang The diplomatic crisis between Tokyo and Beijing is the result of a years-long fundamental shift to the right in Japan – and part of a “long-term struggle” that China must prepare for, according to analysts. The assessment comes as relations between the two countries nosedive, prompted by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion earlier this month that a hypothetical conflict in the Taiwan Strait would trigger a military response from Tokyo. For Beijing, the comments ventured into a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333837/why-japans-drift-right-means-long-term-struggle-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333837/why-japans-drift-right-means-long-term-struggle-china Sun, 23 Nov 2025 13:00:10 +0000 Sylvie Zhuang Sylvie Zhuang In a small town in the US Midwest, 47-year-old military veteran Natalie Hubble loves spending her evenings lost in the mythic worlds portrayed in Chinese fantasy stories. Hubble has never been to China, yet few could describe Chinese mythical tales as well as she does. She described her growing connection to Chinese culture, ancient and modern, as a “natural progression”, since she reads over 150 books a year and likes to take recommendations from all over the world. She said her favourite... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3332914/why-chinese-grass-roots-culture-may-be-finally-taking-its-place-global-limelight https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3332914/why-chinese-grass-roots-culture-may-be-finally-taking-its-place-global-limelight Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:00:19 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei Beijing sent a Type 055 destroyer fleet to the south of Japan on Tuesday, according to Tokyo, just days after comments about Taiwan from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi drew a strong reaction from Beijing. Japan’s defence ministry said on Wednesday that three Chinese ships, including a Type 055 destroyer, had passed through waters south of Kagoshima on Kyushu island on Tuesday before travelling through the Osumi Strait into the Pacific Ocean. According to a statement from the ministry,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3332845/3-pla-warships-sailed-past-japan-amid-row-over-sanae-takaichis-taiwan-comments https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3332845/3-pla-warships-sailed-past-japan-amid-row-over-sanae-takaichis-taiwan-comments Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:00:16 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn will this month embark on the first trip to China by a Thai monarch since the two nations established diplomatic ties half a century ago. The state visit, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and scheduled to take place from November 13 to 17, will make China “the first major country” that the Thai king has officially visited since ascending the throne in 2016, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry. “In recent years … bilateral relations have... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331951/king-maha-vajiralongkorn-make-first-china-trip-thai-monarch-50-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331951/king-maha-vajiralongkorn-make-first-china-trip-thai-monarch-50-years Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:31:45 +0000 Dannie Peng Dannie Peng A database tracking the deaths of young Chinese scientists has triggered a heated debate amid growing concern about whether there is a disturbing pattern emerging among the academic community. But the list also triggered a public backlash, with critics raising ethical concerns about the way the information was used and questioning whether it was giving the full picture. According to the file posted on CSND, an online platform for computer programmers, last week, at least 76 researchers under the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3331244/database-younger-scientists-deaths-triggers-heated-debate-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3331244/database-younger-scientists-deaths-triggers-heated-debate-china Mon, 03 Nov 2025 04:00:09 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen Rare earths will remain an “important card” for China in its relations with the United States, despite the Group of Seven’s commitment to challenge Beijing’s dominance of the critical minerals, according to a Chinese observer. At a meeting in the Canadian city of Toronto on Friday, G7 energy ministers agreed to establish a critical minerals production alliance. The plans include more than two dozen new investments, partnerships and measures to accelerate and unlock C$6.4 billion (US$4.57... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331170/g7s-new-rare-earths-alliance-big-challenge-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331170/g7s-new-rare-earths-alliance-big-challenge-china Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:00:09 +0000 Amber Wang,Sylvie Zhuang,William Zheng Amber Wang,Sylvie Zhuang,William Zheng In a stark departure from past China-US summits, Taiwan did not rate a mention on Thursday, prompting speculation that Xi Jinping and Donald Trump had arrived at a tacit and pragmatic understanding to deprioritise the contentious issue. Taiwan – regarded by Beijing as a core interest and “the first red line that cannot be crossed” in bilateral relations – has in recent years occupied a few lines in official readouts following face-to-face meetings between the countries’ leaders, but not in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3330958/what-does-xi-trump-summits-silence-taiwan-mean-contentious-issue https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3330958/what-does-xi-trump-summits-silence-taiwan-mean-contentious-issue Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:00:10 +0000