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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
Supporters of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party wave party flags in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, in October 2025. Photo: AP
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

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North Korea

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

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.

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hand with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Paris, France, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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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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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and US President Donald Trump. Photo: Getty Images / TNS
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.

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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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China-Latin America relations

US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president

The US forced Chile to cancel a Chinese undersea cable. Now the region is asking who gets to decide what infrastructure Latin America builds.

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Jose Antonio Kast was elected as Chile’s president in November after his Republican Party won just over 58 per cent of the vote. Photo: Reuters
Germany

Germany, Japan to unblock oil reserves as G7 stands ‘ready’ to act

The latest announcement came as G7 leaders were set to discuss the widespread economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

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Surplus gas is burnt off in a crude oil processing plant in Germany. The German and Japanese governments will free up some of their national oil reserves. Photo: dpa
India

Why US policy on India aims to avoid repeat of China ‘mistake’

Despite official saying the US wants to work with India, it is likely to maintain a ‘transactional approach’ towards New Delhi, analysts say.

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South Korea

Video | South Korea grapples with ‘clear reality’ of US forces shifting role on peninsula

Analysts say reports of US moving assets from Korean peninsula to Middle East marks shift in role of American forces stationed in South Korea.

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