Advertisement
Advertisement
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.
Open Questions series

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

videocam
25
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

videocam
7
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

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

videocam
25
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

videocam
7
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

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
US President Donald Trump applauds at the Pennsylvania Defence and Innovation Summit at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Iran has freed a detained US woman

Dena Karari, a US-Iranian citizen, had been held since December 2024.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Strait of Hormuz a ‘red line’, vows to fight till the end

videocam
South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

videocam
42
US-China relations

Trump intel pick to play ‘helpful’ role in agreeing economic strategy with China

Jay Clayton says US can still work together ‘on the world stage economically’ with Beijing despite the geopolitical challenges they face.

videocam
Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his nomination to be the Director of National Intelligence in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

EU accuses China of seeking to reshape global order in stark new strategy paper

China trying to ‘reshape the global order in line with their interests’, EU says in some of bloc’s strongest official criticism of Beijing.

videocam
72
US-China relations

Global views of China and Xi improve as perceptions of US decline: Pew survey

China’s image has recovered from pandemic lows while confidence in the US and its global leadership has weakened.

15
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China trade

Giant Japanese trade group plans China visit amid tense economic ties

Delegation from prominent Japanese organisation seeks October talks in Beijing and Xian to repair business partnerships after geopolitical disputes snarled exchanges.

videocam
5
Asset id: 1075372364 China and Japan small flag with blur green background. Shutterstock Images
US-China trade war

US must act quickly to counter China’s growing tech progress, lawmakers told

Analysts claim Washington needs to slow down Chinese momentum and speed up US technology advances now or fall well behind the Asian giant.

videocam
7
South China Sea

How Beijing’s islands of control are reshaping the South China Sea

Ten years after the Hague’s tribunal ruling, Beijing’s island-building strategy has effectively eclipsed the 2016 decision, observers say.

videocam
24
Asean

Opinion | Cambodia aspires to shed its dependencies while staying connected

As it seeks connectivity, Phnom Penh must build diplomatic bridges with as much effort as it constructs ports and canals.

People arrive at the construction site of the Funan Techo canal along the Prek Takeo channel in Kandal province, Cambodia, on August 5, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump scraps Hormuz toll plan but presses ahead with Iran blockade

In latest flip-flop, US president says Gulf investment deals will replace shipping fee, while restoring blockade targeting Iranian trade.

videocam
45
US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Iran

Video | US strikes Iran again after UAE tankers hit

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted US facilities in the region and two UAE tankers travelling through the strait.

Pacific nations

China sends a message to Pacific islands amid unease over missile test

Solomons prime minister has pledged to review China pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia.

videocam
13
Singapore

Tharman’s state visit signals ‘mature’ era for Singapore-Malaysia ties

Singapore’s president, in Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of Malaysia’s king, says both nations need each other in a troubled world.

Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (right) and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar inspect honour guards during a welcoming ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: Facebook/officialsultanibrahim
ICBMs

Opinion | China’s missile test is a signal. How non-nuclear states respond matters

The reactions to Beijing’s ‘routine’ exercise put into focus a nuclear order that is rapidly fluctuating from Tehran to Tokyo.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
US-China relations

US National Science Foundation to ban projects with flagged Chinese institutions

Raising security fears, NSF moves from case-by-case approval to full ban on working with restricted entities and their employees.

US-China trade war

US tariff probe unlikely to derail autumn Xi-Trump meeting: analysts

Experts say both sides remain focused on trade negotiations and new tariff-free mechanisms despite fresh investigations.

4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-China relations

Lindsey Graham’s death removes one of Washington’s most influential China hawks

Graham’s sister will fill his Senate seat, but his role as one of Trump’s closest foreign policy advisers may prove harder to replace.

23
Lindsey Graham (right) forged a close political alliance with Donald Trump after strongly opposing him during the 2016 Republican presidential primary. Photo: AP
US immigration

Mexico filing legal complaints over US immigration deaths

Mexico demands accountability for 17 citizens who have died in custody or during raids, testing relations with the US.

Middle East

EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements

EU foreign policy chief insists measures target West Bank settlements rather than Israel itself.

Ukraine war

Ukraine allies meet in Paris to boost air defence, pressure Russia to end war

The 37-member Coalition of the Willing aims to develop ‘purely defensive’ anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe.

videocam
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky upon arrival for a summit of the Coalition of the Willing at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump to restore Iran blockade, charge fees for Strait of Hormuz shipping

US president says Iranian ships and those trading with Iran will be barred, while other commercial traffic will pay a 20% transit fee.

videocam
144
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

South China Sea: 10 years after Hague ruling, how has the Philippines’ stance evolved?

Officials and analysts say Manila’s deterrence strategies can now make China ‘at least hesitate’, even though there is still much to be done.

Myanmar

Myanmar edges out of isolation as Asean steps up engagement

Bangkok talks spark warnings that Southeast Asian diplomats are legitimising a military regime still waging a bloody war on its own people.

India

UK deal to serve as testing ground for India’s Western trade ambitions

The pact will be a ‘practical blueprint’ for resolving issues such as tariffs, services and regulatory cooperation, analysts say.

Employees work at a garment factory in Bengaluru, India, in May. Indian textiles and leather products are expected to gain from the country’s trade deal with the UK. Photo: EPA
Middle East

First session of Syria’s parliament convenes after Assad’s ousting

The transitional body is tasked with laying the groundwork for democracy after decades of authoritarian rule and 13 years of civil war.

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the first meeting of Syria’s new transitional parliament in Damascus on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi will be looked after, Myanmar envoy tells Asean

Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence, ⁠recently commuted by one-third, on a series of charges that her allies said were fabricated to keep her out ‌of politics.

China’s soft power

Opinion | Slowly but surely, China’s soft power is making itself felt

With trusted businesses, more openness, creative culture and inspiring sporting successes, China is building a foundation for influence.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement