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Chinese foreign ministry

The latest news and top stories on the Chinese foreign ministry. A prominent Beijing-based governmental body, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China is dedicated to conducting the nation’s foreign relations and diplomacy, safeguarding national interests and promoting world peace. Its main areas of activity include formulating foreign policy, administering the world’s largest diplomatic network and representing China at the United Nations. The Ministry is recognised for its significant role in advocating for peaceful resolution of international disputes and fostering global cooperation, serving as the primary interface for China’s foreign policy.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office building in London. Photo: Google Maps

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong trade office in London can continue ‘legitimate activity’: UK official

UK government resists calls to revoke Hong Kong trade office privileges after spy case, but insists it will act against any threat to security.

22 May 2026 - 7:11PM

Trending in China

China inventor creates sword-shaped aerial vehicle, brings fantasy novels to life

22 May 2026 - 9:00AM

China-Latin America relations

China slams US over Castro charges and ‘unauthorised’ sanctions on Cuba

21 May 2026 - 8:44PMvideocam

Taiwan

Why a Trump-Lai call could trigger ‘turbulence’ between Washington and Beijing

Such a move would cross Beijing’s red line and undo progress from recent summit with Xi, analysts warn.

21 May 2026 - 9:59PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press after stepping off Air Force One, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US charges Raul Castro as Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Cuba

Historic murder charges against 94-year-old former leader mark the first time Washington has criminally pursued a Castro brother.

21 May 2026 - 12:55PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Beijing calls Paraguay leaders willing ‘chess pieces’ after disputed Taiwan trip

Beijing’s anger over President Santiago Pena’s Taipei trade visit comes as Taiwan issue looms large at this week’s Trump-Xi summit.

13 May 2026 - 4:08AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

China backs Hong Kong courts, ignores calls to free Jimmy Lai ahead of Trump visit

Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests.

12 May 2026 - 9:32PM

Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, defended Hong Kong’s handling of the Jimmy Lai case after being asked whether authorities would consider freeing the jailed former media tycoon. Photo: Johannes Neudecker/dpa

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump to raise Taiwan, Jimmy Lai case when he meets Xi in Beijing this week

US president claims Chinese leader will be more likely than himself to bring up Taiwan issue, while Lai may also be on the agenda.

12 May 2026 - 6:17AMvideocam

US-China relations

China plan to be global arbitration hub fighting Western distrust: experts

China’s newly revised Arbitration Law marks the most significant overhaul of the country’s commercial dispute framework since 1994.

9 May 2026 - 6:21AMvideocam

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong-based mediation body resolves international maritime dispute

International Organisation for Mediation hails dispute resolution between parties from mainland China and Singapore as milestone.

8 May 2026 - 10:24PM

The headquarters of the International Organisation for Mediation in Wan Chai. Photo: Dickson Lee

China-Australia relations

Why China’s jet fuel deal with Australia underscores Canberra’s balancing act

Meeting between top diplomats Wang Yi and Penny Wong signals continuing thaw in bilateral relationship after years of diplomatic freeze.

30 Apr 2026 - 7:32PMvideocam

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Might over right’ imperils international justice, Wang Yi tells UN’s Baerbock

UN General Assembly president meets Chinese foreign minister in Beijing amid Iran war tensions and global energy crisis.

29 Apr 2026 - 8:24PMvideocam

China-Asean relations

China calls on Cambodia for ‘shared security and risks’ during global turmoil

Defence and foreign ministers meet in Phnom Penh after Hun Manet describes China as a ‘most important and most trustworthy good friend’.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:06PMvideocam

Japan

Video | Japan scraps long-standing arms export rules

Tokyo approves plan to scrap restrictions, prompting warnings that this could undermine the country’s pacifist constitution.

22 Apr 2026 - 4:39PM

Cruise missiles, flag of Japan in background - defense concept - 3D illustration. Photo: Shutterstock Images

China-Japan relations

China says embassy intrusion, bomb threat are among ‘grave violations’ in Japan

Acting head of embassy lists incidents he describes as ‘a threat to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and premises’.

16 Apr 2026 - 7:02PMvideocam

A police officer stands guard at an entrance to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on March 25, 2026, a day after a man was apprehended for allegedly trespassing onto the grounds of the embassy. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

China warns travellers to avoid Seattle airport after academics denied entry to US

About 20 Chinese scholars going to conference harassed and interrogated at border, Beijing says.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz blockade: shipping body slams transit fees as 20,000 seafarers stranded

A ‘retrograde’ toll proposal by Tehran risks similar charges in other vital waterways, warns global association for merchant shipowners and operators.

15 Apr 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

US-China relations

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

15 Apr 2026 - 4:46AMvideocam

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pose before talks in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

China-Latin America relations

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

3 Apr 2026 - 4:35PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

1 Apr 2026 - 1:07AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China under pressure as Trump ties high-stakes summit to Strait of Hormuz crisis

Beijing is being forced to weigh its reliance on stable energy routes against its tradition of non-interference, analysts say.

16 Mar 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left), pictured here with Chinese President Xi Jinping, has threatened to postpone his trip to Beijing unless China helps break Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP

Trending in China

Iraqi reporter raised in China, famous for viral dance, to marry Xinjiang woman

Journalist who grew up knowing only war and conflict in the Middle East yearns for peace in the region; his catchphrase is ‘I envy Chinese’.

15 Mar 2026 - 6:09PM

An Iraqi journalist who went viral in China for performing the Subject 3 dance has become engaged to a woman from Xinjiang. He moved to China at the age of 11. Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu/Douyin

Pakistan

China seeks to mediate after Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Beijing calls on Islamabad and Kabul to stay calm and exercise restraint as relations between the neighbours plummet.

27 Feb 2026 - 8:11PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

24 Feb 2026 - 10:00PM

Hong Kong politics

Protect Hongkongers in Japan, authorities urge Tokyo after tourist attacked

Concerns over attack on resident in Sapporo amid tense relations between China and Japan over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments.

19 Feb 2026 - 9:27PM

Travellers cross the road in Sapporo. Photo: Kyodo

China-Japan relations

Tokyo releases captain of Chinese fishing boat found in Japanese EEZ

Zheng Nianli freed after China files bail payment guarantees, broadcaster NHK reports.

14 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

A Japanese fisheries agency patrol vessel follows the Chinese fishing vessel Qiong Dong Yu in waters off Japan’s southwest Nagasaki prefecture on Thursday. Photo: Handout

China-Latin America relations

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

12 Feb 2026 - 7:38AMvideocam

China-Asean relations

China executes 11 core members of Myanmar-based telecoms fraud ring

They include members of the Ming family crime syndicate found guilty of murder, illegal detention, running casinos and other offences.

29 Jan 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

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Chinese foreign ministry

Hong Kong trade office in London can continue ‘legitimate activity’: UK official

UK government resists calls to revoke Hong Kong trade office privileges after spy case, but insists it will act against any threat to security.

China inventor creates sword-shaped aerial vehicle, brings fantasy novels to life

China slams US over Castro charges and ‘unauthorised’ sanctions on Cuba

Why a Trump-Lai call could trigger ‘turbulence’ between Washington and Beijing

Such a move would cross Beijing’s red line and undo progress from recent summit with Xi, analysts warn.

US charges Raul Castro as Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Cuba

Historic murder charges against 94-year-old former leader mark the first time Washington has criminally pursued a Castro brother.

Beijing calls Paraguay leaders willing ‘chess pieces’ after disputed Taiwan trip

Beijing’s anger over President Santiago Pena’s Taipei trade visit comes as Taiwan issue looms large at this week’s Trump-Xi summit.

China backs Hong Kong courts, ignores calls to free Jimmy Lai ahead of Trump visit

Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests.

Trump to raise Taiwan, Jimmy Lai case when he meets Xi in Beijing this week

US president claims Chinese leader will be more likely than himself to bring up Taiwan issue, while Lai may also be on the agenda.

China plan to be global arbitration hub fighting Western distrust: experts

China’s newly revised Arbitration Law marks the most significant overhaul of the country’s commercial dispute framework since 1994.

Hong Kong-based mediation body resolves international maritime dispute

International Organisation for Mediation hails dispute resolution between parties from mainland China and Singapore as milestone.

Why China’s jet fuel deal with Australia underscores Canberra’s balancing act

Meeting between top diplomats Wang Yi and Penny Wong signals continuing thaw in bilateral relationship after years of diplomatic freeze.

‘Might over right’ imperils international justice, Wang Yi tells UN’s Baerbock

UN General Assembly president meets Chinese foreign minister in Beijing amid Iran war tensions and global energy crisis.

China calls on Cambodia for ‘shared security and risks’ during global turmoil

Defence and foreign ministers meet in Phnom Penh after Hun Manet describes China as a ‘most important and most trustworthy good friend’.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Japan scraps long-standing arms export rules

Tokyo approves plan to scrap restrictions, prompting warnings that this could undermine the country’s pacifist constitution.

China says embassy intrusion, bomb threat are among ‘grave violations’ in Japan

Acting head of embassy lists incidents he describes as ‘a threat to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and premises’.

China warns travellers to avoid Seattle airport after academics denied entry to US

About 20 Chinese scholars going to conference harassed and interrogated at border, Beijing says.

Hormuz blockade: shipping body slams transit fees as 20,000 seafarers stranded

A ‘retrograde’ toll proposal by Tehran risks similar charges in other vital waterways, warns global association for merchant shipowners and operators.

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

China under pressure as Trump ties high-stakes summit to Strait of Hormuz crisis

Beijing is being forced to weigh its reliance on stable energy routes against its tradition of non-interference, analysts say.

Iraqi reporter raised in China, famous for viral dance, to marry Xinjiang woman

Journalist who grew up knowing only war and conflict in the Middle East yearns for peace in the region; his catchphrase is ‘I envy Chinese’.

China seeks to mediate after Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Beijing calls on Islamabad and Kabul to stay calm and exercise restraint as relations between the neighbours plummet.

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Protect Hongkongers in Japan, authorities urge Tokyo after tourist attacked

Concerns over attack on resident in Sapporo amid tense relations between China and Japan over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments.

Tokyo releases captain of Chinese fishing boat found in Japanese EEZ

Zheng Nianli freed after China files bail payment guarantees, broadcaster NHK reports.

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

China executes 11 core members of Myanmar-based telecoms fraud ring

They include members of the Ming family crime syndicate found guilty of murder, illegal detention, running casinos and other offences.

Video | Japan scraps long-standing arms export rules