TOPIC

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.
Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade outside 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Britain

Britain ready to implement US tariff deal, trade minister says

Trade chief Jonathan Reynolds said UK is hopeful for a proclamation from Trump to put the agreement into effect in the coming days.

US-China relations

Exclusive | Xi-Trump call suggests ties are warming – timing of a meeting is another thing

videocam
11
Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo skips G7 summit in Canada for talks with Putin in Russia

China-EU relations

Opinion | Why Europe must end its strategic drift by working with China

Whether via bilateral channels or broader coalitions, Europe must craft a China policy that reflects pragmatism and enhances its resilience.

7
A visitor looks at pictures during the 2025 Budapest China Tourism and Culture Week in Budapest, Hungary, on May 23. Europe’s engagement with China should be framed not as distance from Washington but as a pursuit of European resilience. Photo: Xinhua
South Korea

South Korea, US push for dialogue with North amid Kim’s snub of Trump letter

South Korea’s foreign ministry emphasised its efforts to reopen communication with Pyongyang to ease tensions, without directly commenting on Trump’s letter.

China-Africa relations

China to remove tariffs on nearly all goods from Africa as both criticise US

Plan expands on policy announced last year granting 33 least-developed African countries zero-tariff treatment.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
South Korea

End to inter-Korea ‘loudspeaker war’?

Pyongyang’s cessation of loudspeaker broadcasts does not signal a shift in its indifferent policy towards ties with Seoul, analysts say.

videocam
South Korean soldiers work on a loudspeaker set up for propaganda broadcasts during a military drill near the Demilitarised Zone. Photo: Handout via Reuters
China-Philippines relations

Philippines’ Marcos softens stance amid economic pressures but will China bite?

The Philippine president’s close ties with the US could prove a stumbling block to better relations with Beijing, observers say.

videocam
Thailand

Outcome of Thailand-Cambodia border talks in the balance amid ‘trust deficit’

Bangkok’s resistance to Phnom Penh’s attempts to ‘internationalise’ the border dispute is likely to affect the meeting, experts say.

Donald Trump

Trump says again he’ll set unilateral tariffs in 2 weeks

US president plans to issue unilateral tariff rates to trading partners, offering ‘take it or leave it’ deals.

6
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Middle East

US pulling some personnel from Middle East as Iran tensions rise

Tensions in the region have been rising as US-Iran nuclear talks appear to have hit an impasse.

The US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. File photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Opinion | Beijing’s ties with Moscow and Kyiv should be leveraged for peace

With its diplomatic access and record of engagement with all parties, China could be the ingredient required to bring peace in our time.

Donald Trump

Trump admin launches review of Aukus submarine pact with Australia and UK

The move is likely to alarm Australia, which sees the submarines as critical to its defence as tensions grow over China’s military build-up.

videocam
12
US-China trade war

US Treasury chief slams ‘unreliable’ China at House hearing on Trump trade policy

His claim Beijing has ‘most unbalanced economy in the history of the world’ fails to sway Democrats’ scepticism over administration’s ‘whims’.

videocam
50
US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent testifies at a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Rubio seeking probe of Harvard collaboration on conference in China: report

The secretary of state wants to investigate if the school violated US sanctions over an event that may have included blacklisted officials.

videocam
Demonstrators rally on Cambridge Common in a protest in April calling on Harvard leadership to resist interference at the university by the federal government. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Polish PM Tusk secures confidence vote amid political turmoil

Tusk called for a vote, noting Poland’s new reality after the election loss of his close ally – Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski to nationalist Karol Nawrocki.

Middle East

Iran warns US bases within reach, as Trump ‘less confident’ over nuclear deal

Iran warns it can target US bases amid stalled nuclear talks, while Trump expresses reduced confidence in a deal as Tehran continues uranium enrichment, defying the US.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-China relations

Opinion | Why US defence chief’s attack on China won’t find favour in Southeast Asia

The US is playing up the ‘China threat’ and wants allies in Asia to increase defence spending, but it may find this to be a hard sell.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Taiwan

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou to return to mainland China despite warnings

Beijing welcomes former KMT chairman and Ma Ying-jeou Foundation CEO stresses importance of stable cross-strait relations amid tariff war.

videocam
7
South Korea

South Korea silences propaganda loudspeakers in bid to ‘restore trust’ with North

The South resumed loudspeaker broadcasts in June 2024 after a pause, responding to North Korea’s trash-laden balloon campaign.

India

Is acceptance by India’s Modi to attend G7 summit in Canada a ‘Pyrrhic victory’?

The belated invitation by Canada has sparked debate on whether ties between New Delhi and Ottawa are on the mend.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted the invitation from his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney to attend the G7 summit in Alberta. Photo: dpa
China-Japan relations

China and Japan must beat mutual hostility while also handling tariffs: envoy

‘Japanese companies hold a firm belief that they cannot compete globally without succeeding in the Chinese market’: Kenji Kanasugi.

videocam
Japanese ambassador to Beijing Kenji Kanasugi has told students and academics at Renmin University in Beijing that Japan-China ties are “on a stable trajectory” despite “various challenges and unresolved issues”. Photo: CNA
US-China relations

Exclusive | Top US envoy in Hong Kong may be headed for senior role in Beijing embassy

Gregory May, US consul general for Hong Kong and Macau, tipped for leading role over 1,300 people at Beijing embassy and mainland consulates.

videocam
4
South Korea

Will Kim Jong-un reciprocate first move by South Korea’s Lee to ease tensions?

A proposed halt to the launch of anti-North propaganda leaflets may signal a major policy shift by President Lee Jae-myung, analysts say.

videocam
US-China relations

EU in Latin America touts itself as ‘just’ partner amid US-China rivalry

Speaking in Brazil and aiming bloc’s message at Global South, senior envoy also extols shared agenda for green and digital transition.

Senior European Union official Brian Glynn (left) speaks at the Forte de Copacabana International Security Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday, as German lawmaker Roland Theis listens. Photo: SCMP
United States

Opinion | Asia is becoming more multipolar but not because of US decline

The Trump administration’s unclear foreign policy aims are prompting US partners to look beyond security alignment with Washington alone.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
South China Sea

Living in China’s shadow has become ‘very dangerous’ for Filipino islanders

Filipino forces and villagers in the South China Sea face isolation and territorial tensions as they resist China’s growing dominance.

videocam
China-Africa relations

Are China-Niger ties a test for Beijing’s cornerstone non-interference policy?

‘Strengthening a regime is, in effect, a form of internal interference,’ says analyst.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement