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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’

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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

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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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Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Smoke and flames rise from the site of US-Israeli airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7. Photo: Sasan/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images/TNS
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran survived 3 months of war. Can it survive the aftermath?

US$270 billion in damage and 4 million citizens plunged into poverty may have broken Iran’s economy.

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China-Africa relations

Coffee, chillies and cashews: a new recipe to rewrite China-Africa trade

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Taiwan

Is the US trying to sway Taiwan’s KMT by receiving its legislative speaker?

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Africa

Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with ex-ruler France

Anti-French sentiment runs high in some former African colonies as the continent becomes a renewed diplomatic battleground.

A man holds a placard during a protest to support the Burkina Faso President Captain Ibrahim Traore and to demand the departure of France’s ambassador and military forces, in Ouagadougou in January 2023. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

Trump threatens 100% tariff on countries that impose digital services tax

The US president singled out European nations in a push against foreign efforts to tax or regulate American tech giants.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iran after Trump says cargo ship attack violated ceasefire

US Central Command says missile, drone and radar sites were hit after Tehran was accused of targeting vessel in Strait of Hormuz.

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US-China relations

Trump thinks he is playing hardball. But China is playing Trump: analysts

Analysts say modest meeting outcomes and shrinking institutional channels leave diplomacy unduly reliant on the leaders’ personal rapport.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping leave the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing on May 15. Photo: AP
Venezuelan crisis

In Venezuela, China’s oil-for-loan deals run into huge US-led debt restructuring

Beijing’s influence in Caracas seen fading, with Washington controlling Venezuela’s oil revenues and debt overhaul, potentially triggering a stand-off.

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China-EU relations

As I see it | Europe wants a new Plaza Accord for China – seriously?

Instead of hoping for Beijing to commit economic suicide, it would be more realistic for the EU to strike a mutually acceptable trade deal.

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US, Israel war on Iran

When geography is destiny, Gulf states must diversify their defence, expert says

World Economic Forum meeting also told Iran’s leadership now views economic survival – not geopolitical ambition – as primary priority.

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The United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states must help shape the outcome of the Iran war, says Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House. Photo: AFP
United States

Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

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 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
US-China relations

Opinion | How Chinese philosophy influenced US founding fathers

From the Mandate of Heaven to the ‘pursuit of happiness’, the US and China share a rich intellectual tradition of ethical governance.

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Venezuela

Venezuela earthquakes draw aid from governments that cut ties with Caracas

Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and other governments that suspended relations with the country offer rescue teams and humanitarian aid.

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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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A man walks among the rubble of a building in La Guaira, Venezuela. Photo: AP
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

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

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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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People walk and ride past collapsed structures and debris following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

The hall in which the Ukraine Recovery Conference is held in Gdansk, Poland. The event is both a fundraising forum and a message to Russia that Ukraine’s Western supporters are in it for a long haul. Photo: AFP
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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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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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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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