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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

videocam
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

videocam
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
The World Trade Organization logo is seen at its headquarters in Geneva in February 2024. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

WTO faults US in dispute brought by China over clean energy subsidies

Large tax credits under Biden’s landmark climate law are inconsistent with WTO agreements and should be withdrawn, a panel ruled.

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China-UK relations

China lifted sanctions on British lawmakers after Starmer–Xi meeting, UK says

Japan

Video | South Korea and Japan’s defence ministers face off in table tennis

Israel-Gaza war

Israel offers ‘limited’ Rafah reopening after nearly 2-year Gaza border shutdown

The reopening is part of phase two of the US ceasefire. Previously, it was Gaza’s main crossing for people and trade with Egypt.

The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Palestinian territories. Photo: dpa
Japan

Japan and South Korea bolster defence ties amid regional tensions

Defence chiefs agree to joint AI, space, and drone development, aiming to stabilise the region against growing missile threats.

United States

Opinion | China’s rejection of Darwinian geopolitics is rooted in its history

Davos signalled the collapse of the post-war order but not what will replace it. China can play a role in preventing a descent into anarchy.

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India

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

The adverse impact of pollution could lead to significant health and economic costs for India if left unchecked.

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A rally by protesters in New Delhi in November against what they called the Indian government’s lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital. Photo: AP
Middle East

US envoys to Israel blocked ‘apocalyptic’ Gaza warning in 2024: report

Leaked reports reveal US diplomats killed internal memos detailing dead bodies and famine in Gaza to avoid a ‘lack of balance’ in policy.

US-China trade war

Trump slams allies’ China ties, top generals fall, cross-strait talks

This week: US president says ‘very dangerous’ for UK to boost China ties, two top Chinese generals face corruption probes, and gold surges. Next week: Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomintang resume forum after 10 years, Uruguay president visits China, Shanghai opens skies to drones and more.

United States

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

Middle powers are pivoting to Beijing and hedging with new partners as China’s economic displacement of the US rapidly expands.

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US President Donald Trump raises his fist after a “Board of Peace” meeting at the World Economic Forum annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: AFP
Cambodia

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

The USS Cincinnati is the first US warship to dock at Ream Naval Base since its China-funded expansion was completed in April last year.

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USS Cincinnati docks at Ream Naval Base’s pier in Sihanoukville on Saturday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Senate bills give clear message to Trump to back Taiwan as Xi meeting approaches

Thursday’s bills send signal to White House that US partnership with Taipei must not be forgotten as Trump threatens Cuba tariffs.

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US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela approves oil industry overhaul as US eases some sanctions

Venezuela’s reform will enable additional foreign investment in the energy sector, a move expected to benefit the United States in particular.

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Canada

Canada’s Eby slams separatists seeking US help: the word for that is ‘treason’

The British Columbia premier was responding to a report that Trump officials had meetings with an Alberta pro-independence group.

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A Canadian flag waves in a plaza near the GM plant in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, in March 2025. Photo: Reuters
Greenland

Greenland mayor issues warning after US flag stunt

German comedian Maxi Schafroth attempted to hoist the flag in Nuuk, then claimed to be a US official when confronted by angry locals.

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German Comedian Maxi Schafroth tries to raise an American flag in Nuuk, Greenland, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
US-Venezuela conflict

Trump says he’s reopening Venezuelan airspace and Americans can visit soon

Even as the president suggested US citizens would be safe in Venezuela, the State Department kept in place its highest-level travel advisory.

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Ukraine war

Trump says Putin agreed to not fire on Ukraine’s freezing capital for a week

Amid record-setting cold, the US president says he personally requested Russia halt energy strikes as peace talks prepare to resume.

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China-UK relations

Britain’s Starmer hopes gift of Man United match ball scores with China’s Xi

Reviving a familiar playbook, the British leader uses football to seek diplomatic headway during an official visit to Beijing.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping’s enthusiasm for football was on display during a visit to Ireland’s Croke Park in 2012, when he was vice-president. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Do Americans think China will overtake the US? The results are in

Washington think tank takes the public’s temperature on global power and influence.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s power politics is paving the way to a G2 world order with China

Trump’s actions signal an openness to G2, give China leverage with US allies and open the door for other powers to use coercive force.

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Bangladesh

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

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Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain (right) is congratulated by teammate Mahmudullah during a T20 World Cup cricket match on June 20, 2024. Photo: AP
Asean

How far can Asean engage Myanmar without legitimising military rule?

The bloc’s foreign ministers meet in Cebu amid concerns that diplomacy could slide into tacit acceptance of military rule.

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Asean foreign ministers pose for a group photo in Cebu City on Thursday where they discussed the bloc’s response to the Myanmar crisis. Photo: Reuters
Xi Jinping

Video | UK PM starts China state visit ahead of Xi meeting

Trade and the economy to top British prime minister’s agenda as London navigates ‘re-engagement’ with Beijing, analysts say.

US-China relations

Rise in Republicans wary of China as bipartisan unity declines, new survey says

Report found two-thirds of Republicans now likely to view Beijing as a threat to US, compared with 44 per cent of Democrats and Independents.

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Middle East

Trump warns Iran of ‘far worse’ attack as US warships approach

US president issues ultimatum for a nuclear deal as Iran vows to resist any American attack.

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A Boeing EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean on January 21. Photo: US Navy via AP
US-Venezuela conflict

US’ Rubio says China profited from Venezuela’s collapse through cut-price oil

US secretary tells senators Beijing received discounted crude via opaque debt deals, saying Maduro’s removal was key to curbing influence.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears before the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
United States

US Treasury chief Bessent warns Canada on trade fights, slams EU-India deal

Official urges calm from Ottawa ahead of trade talks, says EU put trade ahead of Ukraine by easing pressure on India over Russian oil.

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US-China trade war

Why Greenland’s rare earth riches cannot end US dependence on China’s minerals

Danish territory boasts vast critical mineral deposits – but mining and processing them extremely challenging, analyst says.

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