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Diplomacy

Diplomacy
Latest news, features and analysis on global diplomatic relations, with a focus on China’s international ties – especially with the US, its Asian neighbours and the European Union.
Open Questions series

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
MT Desert Kite oil tanker carrying Russian oil sails past Narara Marine National Park in Gujarat, India, on March 11. Photo: Reuters
India

India’s Modi caught between much-needed Russian oil and US trade threats

Cutting Russian oil imports could avoid price rises ahead of key polls but keeping such purchases could cripple access to its largest market.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump says Xi state dinner is ‘a very tough ticket’ as guest list takes shape

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Word to the wise on organising a Chinese leader’s US visit

Ex-senior US intelligence official Dennis Wilder reflects on his experience of Hu Jintao’s 2006 White House visit ahead of Xi-Trump meeting.

On April 20, 2006, Chinese and US leaders Hu Jintao and George W. Bush stand side by side during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

China hawks join forces in US Congress to pressure Trump ahead of Xi’s visit

Trump administration criticised for focusing on achieving economic gains from Beijing while neglecting political and human rights issues.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit preview: what are the best and worst scenarios?

Tariff cuts or a new 7.5 per cent duty on China? Possible outcomes on the cards as leaders navigate a trade truce and a widening tech schism.

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Singapore

Singapore minister Chan Chun Sing’s Mandarin diplomacy strikes China chord

Chan quoted ancient philosopher Mencius in his speech at Xiangshan Forum, winning praise on social media for his knowledge of Chinese thought.

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Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing delivers remarks during the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

US hands over 64 artefacts to China in diplomatic push before summit

Beijing praises repatriation of looted treasures as concrete proof of constructive US-China cooperation before high-level talks.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit, China AI at Brics, Asian Games

This week: Chinese and US officials hold final talks before a White House summit on Thursday, Xi offers AI support to Brics nations, the Pinglu Canal opens in southwest China and retail sales unexpectedly cool. Next week: World leaders address the UN General Assembly, Malaysia’s prime minister visits China, Hong Kong hosts state funeral for Tung Chee-hwa, Asian Games open, and more.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | US families press for loved ones’ release from China ahead of Xi’s visit

Cases of US citizens detained in China gain greater attention as their families increase pressure on Trump administration to help them.

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Chen Youlin and his wife, Rong Yufang. Chen is one of the US citizens detained in China. Photo: Chen family
China-Latin America relations

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Jamieson Greer asked Brasilia to curb ‘non-market’ buyers of critical minerals in exchange for relief from Trump’s tariffs.

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US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has asked Brazil to review the sale of Anglo American’s nickel mines to a Chinese state-controlled miner in exchange for tariff relief. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Trump says ‘major progress’ made towards US base in Poland

Announcement comes despite a wider US review of troop levels in Europe and tensions over Nato defence spending.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi to get what Trump didn’t in Beijing: a presidential airport welcome

US president will personally greet Chinese counterpart on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Washington when Xi lands next Wednesday.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

China’s Wang Yi holds phone call with Rubio days before Xi visits US

Top diplomats’ call likely to have locked down final details for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first US state visit in more than a decade.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Germany in February. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | China, US may unveil measures to boost military ties when Xi visits Washington

Two sides have been discussing ways to improve communication channels, according to sources familiar with the talks.

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The US and China are discussing ways to strengthen military links – a rare bright spot in the relationship. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

China edges US, EU on AI regulation trust in middle-income countries: Pew survey

US think tank study finds middle-income countries have ‘more positive views of China’ when it comes to regulating AI effectively.

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Canada

Carney seizes Canada-EU associate membership plan despite Trump’s ire

Welcoming the idea that Trump called ‘laughable’, the Canadian PM told the European Parliament, ‘we do not seek power to dominate others’.

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Brics

Letters | What Brics wants: a non-Western, not an anti-Western, world

Readers discuss the recent Brics summit, and former Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa’s time in office.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping plant saplings during the Brics Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 12. Photo: India’s Press Information Bureau
Japan

Why Zelensky’s Kyiv invite puts Japan PM Takaichi in a diplomatic bind

Analysts say a Ukraine trip will be an ‘excellent opportunity’ for Takaichi to show her mettle, despite concerns about chilly Russia ties.

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Donald Trump

Trump threatens EU over ‘hostile’ proposal to make Canada associate member

US president warns of severe trade action as Ursula von der Leyen pitches historic partnership to Mark Carney.

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US-China relations

China pushes back against US sanctions bill targeting Russia’s top energy buyers

Beijing braces as US House clears ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

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Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun says Beijing “opposes long-arm jurisdiction that has no basis in international law or the authorisation of the UN Security Council”. Photo: Kyodo
US-China relations

Huawei accused of stealing robot tech to get hands on T-Mobile’s trade secrets

US prosecutors claim Chinese tech giant officials were intent on finding out about technical specifications of the robot, dubbed Tappy.

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An image of Tappy the robot. US prosecutors accuse Huawei of repeatedly trying to steal information about the T-Mobile robot's design. Photo: Eastern District of New York Court Records
Middle East

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

Britain

As EU cosies up to Canada, Burnham’s Brexit Britain feels sidelined

The bloc prioritises deepening ties with Ottawa over warming up to the UK leader’s overtures to reset post-Brexit relations.

Malaysia

Malaysia to invite Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing for Rohingya repatriation talks

Anwar Ibrahim says it is necessary to formally recognise Minh Aung Hlaing’s government if Malaysia wants to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

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Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing is seen in Vietnam on September 5. Photo: EPA
China-Middle East relations

China affirms support for Iran, but warns against Yemen spillover

In talks with his Iranian counterpart in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on Tehran and Washington to stay rational.

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Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (right) urged all parties to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “at the earliest opportunity”. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

China mulls bid for Apec free-trade area to taunt US, tantalise Asia

Anticipated push for the FTAAP, covering all 21 Apec members, will burnish China’s reputation by casting the US as an obstacle, analysts say.

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China-EU relations

Von der Leyen vows tough stance with China, using EU’s tools to rebalance trade

Brussels is looking to reduce reliance on Chinese raw materials, and Beijing again urges the EU to avoid protectionist policies.

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