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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

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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
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and daughter Ju-ae attend a military parade to commemorate the Ninth Workers’ Party congress on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP
North Korea

Confrontation or dialogue? You choose, North Korea’s Kim tells US

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

Thailand

US, Thailand lead 30 nations in Southeast Asia’s largest military drill

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United States

US drops charges against Chinese scientists after diplomatic talks

China-Germany relations

Merz’s China tightrope: German leader has warm words, hard questions for Beijing

German chancellor strikes diplomatic tone in Beijing meetings while pushing his hosts on subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

US to keep China tariffs steady ahead of key Trump-Xi meeting: Greer

Trade envoy confirms levies on Chinese goods to remain within range of 35 per cent to 50 per cent depending on the product as tensions ease.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky speaks with Trump, says Russia talks should lead to leaders’ meeting

The leader says Russian claims that Kyiv was trying to obtain nuclear arms were an attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba coastguard kills 4 in firefight with US-registered speedboat

The authorities says shots were fired from the vessel as they approached to identify it.

A Cuban coastguard vessel is seen in Havana in 2022. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

Pentagon to spend US$12 billion on surveillance, eyeing China’s build-up in Asia

The move targets Chinese manoeuvres, submarines and satellites in the Indo-Pacific, and strikes a contrast with Trump’s call for closer ties.

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China trade

Trump’s USMCA exit threat seen pushing Canada into China’s arms

Analysts expect Ottawa to diversify trade as future of North American trade pact remains uncertain, while a US departure would ‘hit Canada like an earthquake’.

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India

Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit

Both sides are set to boost trade links and repair ties further following a fallout over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist, analysts say.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

US warns of deep distrust even as officials seek stable China ties for summit

Congressional hearings reflect bipartisan concern and highlight persistent advanced tech market tension as key Trump-Xi summit looms.

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The Trump administration wants stable relations with China but does not trust the country, a senior State Department ⁠official said. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Opinion | EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making

In an uncertain global environment, the European Union remains committed to mutually beneficial relations with Hong Kong.

China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

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Ukraine war

Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking nuclear arms with help from UK and France

Russia says the western allies believe Ukraine could end the war on more favourable terms if it had a dirty bomb, an allegation Kyiv denies.

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Ukrainian soldiers and partner forces attend a commemoration service marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine at a British Army training camp in East Anglia, Britain, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Chinese drone maker DJI sues to challenge US import ban on new models

Washington has been cracking down on Chinese-made drones in recent ‌years, and the ban represents a significant escalation.

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A man stands outside a DJI store in Beijing in December 2021. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

‘Alpha male’ Nick Adams dropped as Trump’s Malaysia envoy nominee

His controversial nomination, opposed by Malaysians, was ‘returned to the president’ last month.

Indonesia

Why Indonesia’s lead role in Gaza peacekeeping force carries high political risk

Jakarta has reiterated that it ‘will not conduct military operations’ after it agreed to assume the role of deputy commander of the force.

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France

France demands answers from US envoy for ignoring summons as feud deepens

Paris angry after Charles Kushner failed to show up to explain his remarks about the death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque.

Protesters pay tribute to far-right activist Quentin Deranque during a rally in Lyon, France, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
India

India and Brazil set sights on US$30 billion trade milestone by 2030

The two founding Brics members are deepening links on rare earths, innovation and AI to diversify growth beyond the West.

Human rights in China

China versus the West? Wang Yi tells UN no country is ‘human rights teacher’

Beijing’s top diplomat says issue should not be ‘exploited to adorn democracy’ or to ‘whitewash hegemony’ as he advocates for Global South.

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Japan

No takebacks: Japan wants US to stick to trade deal amid tariff turmoil

Japan could see extra tax burdens on some goods if Trump’s new 10 per cent tariffs were to be applied unilaterally, the trade minister said.

A container ship leaves a cargo terminal in Tokyo in April 2025. Photo: AP
China travel

‘Chinese everywhere’: why tourists ditch Tokyo for Seoul as Japan ties sour

Diplomatic row with Japan sent more Chinese travellers packing for Korea, filling its hotels over the nine-day holiday and offering relief to a sluggish domestic economy.

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Visitors wear traditional Korean attire in Seoul on February 17. South Korea saw a sharp influx of Chinese tourists over the Lunar New Year holiday period that ended on Monday. Photo: EPA
China-South Korea relations

Seoul’s protest seen as reluctance to let US Forces Korea confront China

South Korean complaint highlights growing difficulty in balancing ties with both security ally US and top trading partner China: analyst.

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US-China relations

US tariff ruling points to steadier US–China ties before April summit: analysts

Court decision lowers effective duties, easing tensions and steering Xi-Trump talks towards stability rather than escalation.

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China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

A volunteer grinds coffee beans with children during a hands-on experience session at the Ethiopian pavilion of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, Hunan province on August 30, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

China has ‘massively expanded’ its nuclear arsenal, claims US State Department

Beijing’s UN ambassador Shen Jian said China opposes the smearing of its nuclear policy and ‘would not engage in any nuclear arms race’.

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China’s UN ambassador Shen Jian at the annual United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Opinion | Germany’s outreach to China signals a reckoning, rather than a shift

The German chancellor realises that while China poses a long-term economic challenge, the United States is currently the more disruptive partner.

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The Netherlands

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

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