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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

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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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

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

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Injured Iranian sailors are seen at Galle National Hospital on March 5, following a submarine attack on the Iranian military ship IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka. Photo: Reuters
War and conflict

Opinion | US attack on IRIS Dena shows that wars know no borders

The sinking of an Iranian naval frigate off Sri Lanka’s coast is a grim reminder of how easily conflicts can spill into unexpected places.

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US-Venezuela conflict

American flag raised at US embassy in Venezuela for first time since 2019

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US, Israel war on Iran

Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: Trump urges China, other nations, to send warships to secure Hormuz

The president insisted that Iran’s military capability had been eliminated but admitted it was still able to attack the strait.

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The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon preparing recently to depart for the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster British defences in the region. Photo: UK MOD via Reuters
Myanmar

Opinion | Myanmar’s junta staged an election. It couldn’t stage legitimacy

A closer look at the vote raises doubts about whether the generals can hold the country hostage in the long term.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong can play vital part in boosting crucial Sino-India relations

India is a vibrant, emerging and complex power with much to offer the city and China as a whole.

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North Korea

Trump tells South Korea he is only leader who can break North Korean deadlock

Trump was interested to know if North Korea’s Kim Jong-un would be open to meeting him, South Korean prime minister said.

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President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas on June 30, 2019. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy

Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US bombed Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure

Nearly all of Iran’s oil exports pass through the island, and an attack could trigger severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Cartel boss on US ‘most wanted’ list captured in Bolivia raid

Sebastian Enrique Marset Cabrera, who had a US$2 million bounty on his head, was immediately put on a plane to be transferred to the US.

Police officers stand guard at the Viru Viru airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where Sebastian Enrique Marset Cabrera is reportedly being transferred on Friday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran lets 2 India-flagged gas tankers sail through Strait of Hormuz: insiders

India, which gave safe harbour to 183 Iranian ‌sailors, has asked for exemptions from Iran’s blockade of the key waterway.

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The Liberia‑flagged tanker Shenlong, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to India via the Strait of Hormuz, arrives at Mumbai on Thursday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

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War and conflict

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Beijing warns US over Jimmy Lai and Taiwan arms sales ahead of Trump visit

Foreign ministry urges US to ‘safeguard the stable development of China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait’.

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The White House says US President Donald Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2. Photo: TNS
Asean

Philippines urges Asean to be global investment safe haven amid Middle East war

This year’s Asean chair calls on the bloc to ensure investment ‘certainty’ at the opening of the foreign ministers meeting in Manila.

Filipinos test ride electric bikes they explore ways to save on transport costs following oil price spikes on Thursday. Photo: AP
Japan

In Japan, video of exhausted Takaichi sparks health fears ahead of US trip

The prime minister is expected to announce Tokyo’s participation in the US’ ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system when she meets Trump.

The Philippines

Philippines’ bid for UN Security Council seat sidesteps maritime row

As a potential council member, the Philippines is expected to address broader global security issues and be a ‘responsible middle power’.

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China economy

Editorial | China’s ‘two sessions’ passes smoothly despite global turmoil

As long as China focuses on economic development, Hong Kong can leverage its unique strengths to seize opportunities.

Delegates chat after the second plenary meeting of the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 9. Photo: EPA
Israel-Iran conflict

Netanyahu threatens Iran’s new supreme leader, defends joint assault with US

‘I ‌will not detail the actions ‌we are taking. We are creating the optimal conditions for toppling the regime,’ the Israeli PM said.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Iran war marks return to strongest states assuming special rights

International law still exists, but it no longer reliably restrains actors as states increasingly act first and justify those deeds later.

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Korean peninsula

Video | China to North Korea train service restarts

The passenger train suspended operations amid the pandemic and remained closed amid chilly diplomatic ties.

An official stands in front of the K27 train bound to Pyongyang, at the Tianjin station in Tianjin on March 12, 2026. A passenger train that departed from the northeastern Chinese city of Dandong arrived in the North Korean capital Pyongyang on March 12, as rail service between the neighbouring countries resumed after six years. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)
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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s new supreme leader defies Trump, says Hormuz must stay blocked

In first declaration since his appointment as the country’s new supreme leader, Khamenei demands that US military bases in region must close.

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Left: the Thai‑flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree burns after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Right: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Photos: EPA/Royal Thai Navy, Iran Military Monitor via X
US, Israel war on Iran

In a new age of disorder, is it time for China to rethink non-intervention?

With the Iran crisis, the world is in a ‘jungle phase’ and Beijing should work on interventionism 2.0, government adviser says.

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United States

US launches trade probe into China and EU in bid to revive Trump tariffs

The Section 301 investigations could lead to another set of import taxes to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.

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US, Israel war on Iran

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

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Mourners wave Iranian flags during the funeral procession for senior military officials and civilians killed during the US-Israel campaign in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: AP
China-Latin America relations

Amid China cable fallout, Chile’s president ends term, calls for unity

Undersea fibre-optic cable project linking Chile to Hong Kong enraged US, causing dispute that defined Gabriel Boric’s final weeks in office.

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Chilean President Gabriel Boric leaves the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago after his four-year term ended on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
Nordic nations

Trio with Iraq links arrested for ‘terrorist bombing’ of US embassy in Norway

The siblings are Norwegian citizens, and police are investigating if they were working on their own or on orders from a foreign entity.

US, Israel war on Iran

US warns of possible strikes on Iran ports as Hormuz becomes flashpoint

US military considers civilian ports to be legitimate targets, prompting a threat from Iran that no location in the Gulf would remain safe.

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