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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

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

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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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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5
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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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is seen during an interview in Jerusalem in August 2025. Photo: AP
Middle East

US ambassador says Israel has right to much of Middle East, sparking uproar

Mike Huckabee’s comments were condemned by Arab and Muslim nations as ‘extremist rhetoric’.

United States

Trump says raising US global tariff rate from 10 per cent to 15 per cent

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India

India, Brazil sign rare earths deal to build ‘resilient supply chains’

Science

EU bans Chinese organisations from critical tech programmes, including AI, chips

Chinese space scientist Wu Ji doubts the policy will hurt China much and may instead ‘make Europe appear more isolated’.

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The EU has barred most organisations based in China from applying for its Horizon Europe grants in “critical areas”. Image: Shutterstock
China trade

As high-speed railways saturate China, how far can their global reach extend?

As Chinese giants eye Eurasia for new infrastructure, analysts speculate on what it will take to keep overseas projects from going off the rails in different host nations.

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Middle East

How Trump’s threatened strikes on Iran could backfire

Instead of pushing Tehran towards a nuclear deal, bombing the country could set off a deadly cycle of retaliation, analysts warn.

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Middle East

Trump weighs limited strike on Iran, as Tehran says draft deal coming soon

The US president has warned that ‘bad things’ will happen if an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear programme is not reached soon.

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The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is seen from Gibraltar on Friday. Photo: Instagram/dparody via Reuters
US-China trade war

Trump lashes out at US Supreme Court, rolls out new 10% global tariffs

Decision threatens administration’s trade agenda; casts shadow on Xi-Trump summit as some China tariffs wiped out before Beijing talks.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

A key concern for Dhaka is the upgrade to developing nation status, with the key garment sector set to face stiffer competition.

China-North Korea relations

China congratulates North Korea on party conclave, vows to work together: Xinhua

Message from Communist Party of China’s Central Committee lauds Workers’ Party for helping to develop North Korean economy, improving lives.

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China and Russia have congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the Workers’ Party on the conclave that started on February 19. It will set policy direction for the next five years. Photo: KCNA via Reuters
China-Germany relations

Video | China-Germany ties ahead of Merz’s visit

Roles reversed with China, once reliant on German expertise, now on top.

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China-Germany ties ahead of Merz’s visit
Israel-Gaza war

‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push

Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.

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China-Africa relations

China helps Zimbabwe grow US$1.2 billion tobacco crop amid debt, health concerns

As Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural export and a primary foreign currency earner, tobacco dominates its trade with Beijing.

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Indonesia

Indonesia seals ‘great’ US trade deal, agrees to send 8,000 troops to Gaza

A US general said Jakarta will take a deputy commander role in the international stabilisation force in Gaza.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (centre) attends the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Japan

Why plan by US and Japan to relocate Okinawa airbase is hitting turbulence

The US does not intend to vacate the current airbase for now due to disagreement over runway length at a replacement site, a report says.

Residential buildings are seen near US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: AFP
US-China trade war

Washington offers US$200 million to boost US smartphone industry in Indo-Pacific

State Department subsidies for US companies to shore up US artificial intelligence supply chain in region and counter China’s dominance.

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US-China relations

Former Biden official says US must work with allies to counter China

Kurt Campbell warns Trump’s strategy risks weakening Washington leverage as policy machinery erodes and Beijing sharpens its approach.

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Munich Security Conference

Opinion | The 21st-century order has outgrown 20th-century institutions

Despite international tensions, countries still seek cooperation based on shared interests. Institutions must embrace this trend.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Middle East

Trump appears to set short deadline for Iran, warning of ‘bad things’

US president said he will decide within the next 10 to 15 days whether or not to strike Iran.

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Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ debuts with Gaza pledge as war threat looms elsewhere

The US president gathers global allies to fund Gaza’s reconstruction while issuing a final 10-day warning to Iran.

US-China trade war

US trade deficit widens sharply in December, testing Trump tariff claims

Trade with China remains a major driver of the US deficit, even as imports shift towards Southeast Asia and other partners.

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In December, the US goods deficit with China stood at US$12.4 billion, underscoring Beijing’s continued role in America’s trade gap. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Opinion | US and China can again find common ground – in AI’s risks

If Beijing and Washington could meet in 1972 to manage a shared threat, today’s leaders can cooperate to shape the rules of AI.

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People use augmented reality headsets during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference at the Shanghai World Expo and Convention Center in Shanghai on July 28, 2025. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS
India

India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership

The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is seen as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

US-China relations

White House deflects as Trump weighs Taiwan arms sale delay amid Beijing pressure

New weapons package said to be in jeopardy ahead of Trump-Xi summit, raising concerns over Beijing’s leverage and US policy on Taiwan.

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Middle East

US pulls forces from Syria as new government exerts control

The Syrian army has already taken control of Al-Tanf military base, ending an American military presence that lasted for a decade.

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Syrian government internal security forces enter the city of Hasakeh on February 2. Photo: AFP\
United States

Trump tells Starmer ‘do not give away Diego Garcia’ in new attack on Chagos deal

President says the UK should not lose control of Indian Ocean island by entering ‘tenuous’ lease, amid concerns about China’s growing ties there.

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Diego Garcia has long been a strategic asset for US missions. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

Chinese steel hit with duties up to US$670 per tonne after Brazil dumping probe

Government anti-dumping investigation found Chinese imports were being sold at unfairly low prices, harming domestic producers.

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US-China trade war

Has Trump ceded EV market to China with latest string of policy shifts?

Analysts say rolling back regulations pushes US further towards petrol cars, discourages EV innovation, and gives China competitive edge.

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