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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

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

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

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28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

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
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
US President Donald Trump listens as China’s President Xi Jinping speaks during in an arrival ceremony in the Grand Foyer of the White House on Thursday. Photo: AP
Left to right: China’s first lady Peng Liyuan, China’s President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and US first lady Melania Trump look on from the South Portico of the White House during a Silent Drill Platoon Review on Thursday, as Trump welcomes Xi to the White House. Photo: Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping shake hands outside the White House on Thursday. Photo: AP
Members of the military and press are pictured before US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet China’s President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on the South Portico of the White House on Thursday. Photo: AP
LIVE

Xi says China, US must keep AI under human control at White House welcome

Following an unprecedented reception upon landing, formal proceedings – including talks – between the two leaders take place today.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi’s US welcome highlights lack of reception for Takaichi

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Peng Liyuan’s English takes the spotlight in exchange with Melania Trump

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

What a 2-month trade-truce extension reveals as US-China rifts persist

Analysts say that the relatively short window, while a positive sign, could also raise pressure on both Beijing and Washington.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice-Premier He Lifeng met in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: X/SecScottBessent
2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, China agree two-month trade truce extension ahead of summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping received a rare runway reception after touching down on Wednesday ahead of a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump grimaces, Xi unfazed during US military flyover for historic tarmac welcome

Viral reaction at Joint Base Andrews frames Chinese president’s visit as leaders prepare for crucial talks on trade and security.

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South Korea

South Korea has plan for phased denuclearisation. But will North bite?

The South Korean president’s proposal reflects the reality that North Korea already has significant nuclear capabilities, analysts say.

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North Korea test-fires an upgraded 240mm guided rocket at an undisclosed location on Tuesday. Photo: KCNA / AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

‘Deep respect’: analysts weigh in on Trump’s red carpet welcome for Xi

Elaborate greeting ceremony immediately preceded by extension of tariff truce, both positive early signs for Chinese leader’s trip.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Peng Liyuan and Melania Trump renew acquaintance as Xi arrives in US

The first ladies shared a light moment beside the honour guard at Joint Base Andrews, where they had met during the Trumps’ first term.

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Middle East

Turkey to hand over military base to Iraq

Ankara established the facility in Bashiqa in 2015 and deployed up to 600 soldiers there, sparking tensions with Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (left) shakes hands with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York on Wednesday. Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office via Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Chinese leader begins 48-hour visit as Trump seeks progress on AI, Iran, rare earths and trade, with expectations for deals low.

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US President Donald Trump (right) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

The leader described Russia’s Putin as the ‘patient zero’ from whom the idea of war keeps spreading further.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

All you need to know about a state visit, as US rolls out red carpet for Xi

On these grand occasions, which aim to strengthen relationships between countries, it’s more than just pomp and pageantry involved.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel in Hormuz: India and Oman authorities

A strike on the cargo ship Cape Dao led to a fire in the engine room, and 27 crew members had to be evacuated by the Omani navy.

Iranians walk next to an anti-US billboard carrying a sentence in Persian that reads “The devil army will be drowned in the Persian Gulf” in Tehran on Monday. Photo: EPA
China-Latin America relations

Paraguay’s president urges UN to let Taiwan in, calls island’s exclusion ‘a stain’

South American leader backs Taiwan’s UN participation and warns of global fallout from a strait conflict.

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Paraguayan President Santiago Pena addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
US-China relations

Americans are warming to China as Xi arrives for high-profile US visit: poll

China’s average rating has risen from 28 to 37 since 2021, with younger Americans and Democrats expressing warmer views.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s president accuses Trump of ‘bullying mentality’ in wartime speech to UN

Masoud Pezeshkian rejects US threats while signalling readiness for diplomatic talks to end conflict.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Bessent announces 2-month extension of US-China trade truce

Scott Bessent and He Lifeng held an unscheduled meeting in Washington on Wednesday following Sunday’s productive trade talks.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice-Premier He Lifeng pose for a photograph at their meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: @SecScottBessent/X
Middle East

Trump’s Board of Peace proposes US$2.45 billion Gaza reconstruction plan

Physical damage across Gaza will cost roughly US$35.2 billion in the medium term and another US$71.4 billion in the next 10 years.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan projects glamour and soft power on world stage

Xi Jinping’s wife is a famous singer and an important presence as she accompanies her husband on state visits.

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South China Sea

Why Brunei prefers ‘quiet diplomacy’ over confrontation in South China Sea

As a nation with a small military, Brunei would rather work with Beijing in safe zones such as peacekeeping than butt heads, analysts say.

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Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (left) and son Prince Abdul Mateen arrive for the Asean Summit welcome ceremony in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: EPA
China stock market

AI trade rallies on falling oil and Meta’s Muse agent ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

Nasdaq-100 hits record high while chip stocks in China and South Korea rebound, with investors betting that AI earnings can weather higher interest rates.

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. The Nasdaq-100 Index hit a record high on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong rejects EU report’s claims on freedoms as ‘unfounded and biased’

Hong Kong government says the report misrepresents national security laws, ignores protections for rights and applies double standards.

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Canada

Canada seeks to wrap up India trade talks soon, as US ties fray

PM Carney says his Indian counterpart Modi will visit Canada around the time of the G20 summit in Miami this December.

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US-China relations

Editorial | Trump-Xi summit a key step towards managing conflict more wisely

The summit in Washington may not result in a grand bargain but discussions on AI, trade and the military offer hope of progress on managing disagreements.

US President Donald Trump (right) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping while leaving after a visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing, on May 15, 2026. The two leaders will meet in Washington this week. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Zelensky meets Trump, says Ukraine ready for energy truce with Russia

The US president announced such a truce last week, but Russia ‌hit petrol stations in Kyiv the next day and Ukraine bombed an oil refinery.

A Kyiv petrol station hit by a Russian drone strike. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

US law enforcement ups security for Xi summit as welcome, protest events planned

US Secret Service says it is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all foreign heads of state while they are on American soil.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump praises Takaichi for doing ‘tremendous job’ ahead of Xi’s visit to US

Two leaders hail their good working relationship, with Sanae Takaichi saying the United States and Japan can look forward to deepening ties.

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