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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.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine on Friday. Photo: Handout / Ukrainian Presidential Press Service / AFP
Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky urges China to put pressure on North Korea over troops

North Korea should not lose people in European battles, Zelensky said. ‘This can be influenced ... by Korea’s neighbours, especially China’.

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China-India relations

What will China’s new mega dam mean for India ties and Tibetan ecosystem?

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Russia

US teacher jailed in Russia is formally designated as wrongfully detained

South Korea

Opinion | With South Korea in crisis, what black swans lurk for East Asia in 2025?

Signs of upheaval and uncertainty in Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines will be compounded as the US recalibrates its East Asia policy.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Georgia

US imposes sanctions on Georgian billionaire ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili

US said Ivanishvili had implemented ‘actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the US or abroad’ for Russia.

US-China relations

Opinion | Why US and China should work together on Ukraine and Middle East peace

The world doesn’t need grand gestures or empty promises – it needs pragmatic, results-oriented cooperation on issues that matter.

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The Philippines

Philippines forges ahead with Typhon purchase plan: ‘China should not intervene’

Experts say the move is a declaration of self-reliance and a calculated gamble amid mounting tensions in the South China Sea.

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The Typhon is a land-based, ground-launched system designed to enhance multi-domain capabilities. Photo: US Army
Panama

‘Canal is Panamanian’: president rebuffs Trump, denies Chinese interference

President Mulino said the ‘canal is Panamanian and there’s no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around this reality’.

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Donald Trump

Trump names envoy to Panama after urging US reassert control over canal

Trump says Panama, with whom the US has had diplomatic relations since 1903, is ‘ripping us off on the Panama Canal’.

Singapore

Singapore warns about supposed Communist Youth League of China-linked job ads

The deleted job offers on LinkedIn list two roles at a supposed Ngee Ann Polytechnic branch of the Communist Party of China’s youth wing.

A job posting on LinkedIn listing a role at a supposed Ngee Ann Polytechnic branch of the Communist Party of China’s youth wing. Photo: Reddit
South Korea

Will South Korea draw closer to China if ties with US worsen under Trump?

Beijing may also see a potential new administration in Seoul as an avenue to improve ties between both sides, analysts say.

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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Lima last month. Photo: dpa
China-Japan relations

Japan offers to ease visa rules for Chinese tourists during foreign minister’s visit

Takeshi Iwaya made the announcement a month after Beijing added Japan to its own scheme to allow visa-free travel.

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Cambodia

Cambodia’s approval of Japanese naval visits signals ‘balanced’ foreign policy

The move comes as Cambodia-China ties might have stalled due to Beijing holding up funding for Phnom Penh and concerns about scam centres.

China-South Korea relations

Chinese, South Korean foreign ministers in first call since martial law crisis

Foreign ministry says China won’t interfere because ‘South Korean people have the wisdom and ability to properly handle domestic issues’.

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South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol has told China’s Wang Yi that having an acting leader will not change his government’s position on developing a South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership. Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Canada

With Trudeau busy, Canada’s regional leaders court Trump to avert trade war

Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai met the US president-elect’s eldest son in North Carolina to share data on bilateral trade deficit.

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Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right) with Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai in Ottawa on December 3. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Former Taiwan leader emphasises shared roots of island and mainland Chinese

On his fifth student exchange programme, Ma Ying-jeou accuses ruling DPP of being behind unprecedented crisis in culture.

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Japan

Will a firm US stance on Diaoyu Islands be too ‘provocative’ for Japan?

US analyst urges Trump to resume military exercises on disputed islands to send message of deterrence to China, reinforce sovereignty stance.

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South China Sea

Beijing urged to strengthen legal talent pool in South China Sea dispute

A workshop in Beijing heard that the country needs to boost its legal talent pool as Manila threatens action in the international courts.

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Chinese and Philippine coastguards have clashed repeatedly this year. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

How friendly will Europe’s right wing be to Trump on China? It’s complicated

Leaders like Viktor Orban of Hungary and Giorgia Meloni of Italy embrace US president-elect but may not hold with his entire agenda.

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Middle East

Syria says armed groups agree to disband, merge under defence ministry

The move aims to unify the country after years of civil war.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine war: Zelensky thanks China for supporting territorial integrity

Ukraine urges China to leverage influence and ‘a strong voice’ regarding participation of North Korean soldiers in conflict: statement.

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The Chinese ambassador to Ukraine Ma Shengkun is pictured in Kyiv with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Barakah and Serbia, Andon Sapundzi. Photo: Handout
Indonesia

What Erdogan’s summit walkout could mean for Prabowo, Indonesia-Turkey ties

Officials deny speculation of a rift even as analysts note Prabowo’s ‘diplomatic gaffe’ could indicate possible missteps in foreign policy.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

‘It’s hard to tell’: is Trump serious about Greenland, Panama Canal?

Experts say US president-elect’s rhetoric could be a ‘message’ for China, which has increased its influence in Latin America and the Arctic.

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North Korea

Revolution, elections and a baby hippo, this was the year in Asia

From climate change to political storms and a Taylor Swift world tour, Asia in 2024 was characterised by turbulence and surprises.

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China economy

My Take | China’s extended visa-free tourist stays drive momentum for opening

Its latest foreign-visitor policy shows that China is willing to be pragmatic, rather than adhering strictly to ideologies.

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Tourists from Spain in Shanghai. Photo: Xinhua
China-India relations

Opinion | Besides the border, 4 issues obstruct warmer China-India ties

Both nations share similarities but also sharp differences in how they see the international order, its future, multipolarity and the Global South.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Science

China-born biologist Wang Cunyu returns from decades in US to head institute

Wang was recognised by Science magazine in 1996 for his work on cancer cell death.

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Nordic nations

Sweden says China denied request to probe ship linked to cut undersea cables

Sweden’s assertion contradicts Beijing’s earlier promise of ‘cooperation’.

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