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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

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

videocam
7
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
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
US President Donald Trump arrives to deliver a speech at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, on June 23. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
United States

Outside In | How America lost its swagger after 100 days of war against Iran

Defeated by asymmetric warfare and spurned by allies, the US has ended up boosting China’s economy and standing instead.

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US-China relations

Opinion | How Chinese philosophy influenced US founding fathers

Venezuela

Venezuela earthquakes draw aid from governments that cut ties with Caracas

China-Latin America relations

EU pitches Brazil a ‘more beneficial’ rare earths deal than US or China

EU’s Jozef Sikela promises refining investment and technology transfer, in a race for Brazilian minerals that the US and China already lead.

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European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela and Brazil’s Minister of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, Marcio Elias Rosa, at the opening of the Brazil-European Union Investment Forum in Brasilia, Brazil, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Natural disasters

Venezuela twin quakes death toll hits 235 as rescuers comb rubble for survivors

Thousands are missing and many feared dead after the country was hit by two of the strongest tremors in over a century.

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US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

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US, Israel war on Iran

UN halts escort of ships through Hormuz after Singapore-flagged vessel attacked

Cargo ship was hit by a projectile close to Oman, testing a preliminary agreement to end the Iran war.

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Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on June 18. Photo: Reuters
US-Venezuela conflict

As Venezuela reels from earthquake disaster, a test for new US relationship

Washington’s swift disaster response clearest indication yet of how relationship with Caracas has evolved, but bigger challenges lie ahead.

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South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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US-China trade war

China vows to pursue US tariff cuts while decrying ‘malicious’ trade acts

Beijing targets ‘win-win’ ties, dangling a US$300 billion proposal while justifying fresh restrictions on American firms over a Pentagon blacklist.

Beijing said it will continue discussing reciprocal tariff reductions within the framework of a newly established trade board with Washington. Photo: AP
Middle East

US’ Rubio wraps up Gulf tour as allies share concerns over Iran peace accord

Rubio did not discuss a US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran that is part of the peace proposal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves after a meeting with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during Rubio’s visit to the Middle East to discuss the interim deal between the US and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, at Al-Sakhir Palace, near Zallaq, Bahrain on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
European Union

EU releases €3 billion loan for Ukraine’s recovery

The EU has provided €200 billion in support to Ukraine so far, and approved €90 billion more over the next two years.

South Korea

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

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US-China relations

US delegation snubs Apec meeting in Macau due to China visa requirements row

Washington not sending ‘high-level participants’ to tourism ministerial summit after alleged ‘arbitrary and targeted’ behaviour towards US.

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Macau will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) tourism ministerial meeting this week, but top US officials will not be attending. Photo: SCMP/Eugene Lee
China trade

Why the Vietnam ‘detour’ for US-bound Chinese goods hit a dead end

Is finding another Hanoi haven possible, or would trying be a fool’s errand for Chinese firms looking to get the jump on Trump and evade tariffs?

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Illustration: Henry Wong
War and conflict

Opinion | 8 takeaways from the US-Iran war

From the rise of devastating asymmetric warfare to the crumbling of the US maritime hegemony and alliances, the war offers food for thought.

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Huawei

Danish court orders state to pay telecoms firm US$12m for Huawei gear removal

Court in Copenhagen says Huawei gear removal from TDC NET’s network went beyond regulation, entitling Danish firm to damages.

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China's military weapons

PLA’s advanced carrier Fujian transits Taiwan Strait amid military drills

The vessel’s passage comes a day after island starts a five-day exercise to boost its combat readiness.

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A surveillance photo released by the Taiwanese defence ministry shows the Fujian, the People's Liberation Army's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, as it transits the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo
China-Middle East relations

At Summer Davos in China, Mideast firms look to next generation to save the Gulf

At World Economic Forum meeting in Dalian, observers see regional self-reliance and economic needs as motivators for change after Iran war.

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The Philippines

Chinese-Filipino groups downplay Sinophobia over earthquake aid in Philippines

The community is drawing attention partly due to the South China Sea row and spying cases involving Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

China-EU relations

Opinion | EU and China need a grand bargain to avoid a trade war

A mutually beneficial pact must acknowledge a new economic reality and more fully tap the potential for two-way investment.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and European Council president António Costa attend a European Council summit in Brussels on June 19. Photo: dpa
United States

Letters | US is not retreating from Asia. It’s rewriting the terms of its security umbrella

Readers discuss Washington’s message at the Shangri-La Dialogue, facilitating Central Asia’s economic integration, and Hong Kong’s sexual health clinics.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on May 30. Photo: Reuters
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

‘China Opportunity 2.0’: Li Qiang pitches revised narrative at ‘Summer Davos’

The Chinese premier made the speech at the opening plenary of the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian.

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South Korea

Why North Korea prefers a ‘hostile’ neighbour to Seoul’s peace efforts

One way to break the deadlock is to revive talks between the two Koreas, China and the US to end the Korean war, an analyst suggests.

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Britain

Editorial | Even as Starmer goes, Britain’s pragmatic China stance likely to stay

Andy Burnham, tipped to succeed Starmer, is not an outspoken critic of Beijing and engagement is set to continue despite broader geopolitical tensions.

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Andy Burnham, Labour MP for Makerfield, celebrates after his swearing-in at the Houses of Parliament on June 22. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
US-China relations

‘China Initiative 2.0’: US crackdown on Chinese scholars intensifies

Immigration lawyers and activists claim the Trump Administration has ramped up its targeting of Chinese scientists and researchers in US.

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Chinese semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao died at the University of Michigan in March, shortly after being questioned by US federal law enforcement. Photo: Handout
China-Latin America relations

US targets Cuba mining sector to block use of China-linked supply chains

Washington revealed sanctions on foreign-backed mining ventures on Tuesday, which Havana slammed for being ‘dishonest and mendacious’.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine war: Russia says US hasn’t delivered on Trump-Putin ‘understandings’

With Kyiv claiming to be turning the tide of the conflict, Moscow’s comments signal a growing frustration with Washington.

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