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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

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Ottawa’s measures were intended to defend Canadian workers and businesses. Photo: AP
United States

Canada hits US goods with tariffs of up to 50 per cent as trade war escalates

Ottawa targets about US$20 billion in US products and unveils billions in assistance after negotiations with Washington collapse.

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United States

US spy chief John Ratcliffe reportedly on Russia visit

China-Latin America relations

Brazil fines TikTok record US$30 million for profiting from children’s data

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US-China trade war

What does the US-Canada trade dispute mean for China?

After Canada stood firm in negotiations, analysts say that Washington failed to gain ‘veto’ on Ottawa’s trade with other countries.

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Shipping containers are seen in the Port of Montreal in Quebec, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

US-China relations

‘Normal stability’: US-China Track 1.5 talks offer formula for ties

Senior party official Liu Haixing uses unofficial discussions to make the case for disagreements to remain ‘controllable’.

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United States

Opinion | For states, being part of everything doesn’t mean being part of nothing

The opposite of commitment is breach, not multiplicity. A nation’s reliability isn’t measured by how many treaties it signs.

The United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York on March 25. Governments increasingly face the same demand: prove the depth of your commitment by closing the door on everyone else. Photo: Zuma press wire / dpa
South Korea

South Korea pledges to help Trump revive talks with North Korea’s Kim

Trump’s recent olive branch to Kim and criticism ‌of Seoul have raised concerns of a strain on long-standing Asian alliances.

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Ukraine war

UK’s Burnham plans US trip to lobby Trump on Ukraine Patriot missiles

Following his first international visit to Kyiv, the new UK leader seeks a multi-nation deal to secure vital interceptors for Ukraine.

China-Latin America relations

US targets China’s telecoms grip in Venezuela with new sanctions carve-out

Move could test Huawei and ZTE’s long-standing foothold as Washington extends its China reach from oil to another strategic sector.

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Chinese telecommunication companies like Huawei could be marginalised after the US authorised new investment in Venezuela’s telecom sector. Photo: Shutterstoock
Middle East

US removes Syria from state sponsor of terrorism list in major diplomatic shift

Washington lifts decades-old designation, removing final barriers to foreign investment following Assad’s fall.

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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump meeting in Turkey. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

China vows to safeguard interests after ‘Economic D-Day’ sanctions over Iran ties

Washington warns Iran-linked entities face removal from US dollar system as Trump presses world leaders to cut financial ties.

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Taiwan

Mainland China’s ship activity near Taiwan hits record for third month in a row

Beijing has ramped up its law-enforcement and survey operations around island since Tokyo and Manila announced boundary talks.

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China-Middle East relations

China and Jordan call for Strait of Hormuz to get back to normal

The two sides also criticised Israel’s ‘dangerous escalatory actions’ following King Abdullah’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts a welcome ceremony for Jordan’s King Abdullah in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Opinion | China’s view of Trump’s America has changed from alarm to a shrug

Erratic and transactional, the US leader’s approach exposes domestic governance flaws and the limits of Washington’s containment strategy.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China-Latin America relations

Brazil presidential debate zeroes in on Chinese investment and US tariffs

‘What matters to Lulism is that we keep buying the finished product from China while we sell ore or sell our grain’: candidate Renan Santos.

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Britain

UK PM Andy Burnham to visit Kyiv as Ukraine marks independence anniversary

On his first international visit as UK leader, Burnham will co-chair his first Coalition of the Willing meeting of countries supporting Kyiv.

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Israel-Gaza war

Syria holds talks with Israel addressing de-escalation, Israel-Turkey tensions

A Syrian government source said Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Roman Gofman.

An Israeli tank drives along the ceasefire line between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Macron hosts Saudi’s crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Middle East

A French official said agreements, on health, transport and energy, will be signed on Monday alongside talks likely to focus on Iran.

Middle East

US envoy walks back comments on Golan Heights that contradicted Trump’s position

Tom Barrack had said Israel ‘still’ occupies the territory but on Sunday said that was a description of the Golan Heights’ historical status.

Ukraine war

Zelensky details rift with Ukraine’s dismissed defence minister Fedorov

The president said inaccurate defence ministry information contributed to an awkward encounter with Trump over the use of Starlink in Russia.

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Mykhailo Fedorov speaks at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 1 when he Ukraine’s defence minister. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran condemns US plans to announce new sanctions

Warning that nations joining the US ‘economic war’ would be deemed enemies, Iran said the move could affect trading partners including China.

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The Iranian newspaper Jame-Jam with a cartoon of US President Donald Trump, the title reading in Persian “Duplicated Sanctions version”, outside a kiosk in Tehran, Iran on Saturday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

1,500 Indonesian soldiers deployed to fight Borneo wildfires

Fires between January and July burned over 200,000 hectares of land, driven by a powerful El Nino weather pattern causing dry conditions across the country.

Myanmar

Myanmar air strike kills 14 praying at monastery, rebel witnesses say

Public buildings, most often monasteries and schools, are frequently the sites of reported air strikes according to a UN report from last week.

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil’s Lula seeks end to ‘baseless tariffs’ in call with Trump

Washington imposed two new sets of tariffs on Brazil in July, a key campaign issue ahead for the left-wing president ahead of the presidential election in October.

Brazil’s President Lula da Silva speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) at the Herrenhausen Palace in Hanover, Germany, on April 20. Photo: dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran president says time to end war while Tehran is in position of strength

The comments come after US Treasury chief Bessent vowed Washington would ‘collapse’ the Iranian regime with sanctions.

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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian attends press conference in Tehran, on August 8, 2026. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Turkey issues ‘genocide’ warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla

Israel’s interception of the flotilla carrying some 430 activists in May sparked an international outcry.

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China-EU relations

China’s trade grip tightens in Europe as clock ticks towards October deadline

As Brussels continues its push to rebalance ties, the latest data show China’s trade surplus expanded over all but three EU members in July.

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