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Guo Jiakun

(郭嘉昆)

Guo Jiakun
郭嘉昆
Guo Jiakun: A seasoned Chinese diplomat, he assumed the role of Foreign Ministry Spokesman in January 2025, bringing over two decades of experience in foreign service.
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China-Russia relations

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

Though this week’s China-Russia summit featured many agreements, none progressed the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline.

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US-China relations

China’s top diplomat to visit US and Canada to boost ties, pave way for Xi trip

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Taiwan

US Navy signals pause in Taiwan arms sale, drawing swift reaction from Beijing

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China-Latin America relations

Cuba clash, Putin visits Beijing, Xi may go to North Korea

This week: China and the US trade barbs over Cuba, Putin fails to get gas pipeline deal at Xi summit, and retail sales growth hits three-year low. Next week: Xi may travel to North Korea, defence officials gather for Shangri-La Dialogue, new airport terminal and more.

Former Cuban president Raul Castro at a 2025 May Day rally in Havana. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

US casts Cuba as China-linked security threat while still pushing for talks

Washington portrays Havana as a national security risk tied to Beijing and Moscow while insisting diplomacy remains possible.

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China-Latin America relations

China slams US over Castro charges and ‘unauthorised’ sanctions on Cuba

Beijing says it supports ‘Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and national dignity’ after charges over downed planes.

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Taiwan

Why a Trump-Lai call could trigger ‘turbulence’ between Washington and Beijing

Such a move would cross Beijing’s red line and undo progress from recent summit with Xi, analysts warn.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to the press after stepping off Air Force One, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday. Photo: AP
China-Latin America relations

US charges Raul Castro as Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Cuba

Historic murder charges against 94-year-old former leader mark the first time Washington has criminally pursued a Castro brother.

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China-Latin America relations

US plans to charge Raul Castro increases Trump administration’s pressure on Cuba

US Justice Department preparing to indict ageing Cuban leader on Wednesday over the shooting down of two aircraft three decades ago.

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Rare earths

Australia to force investors with China ties to divest from rare earths company

The company will force divestment from two individuals and four companies due to Chinese affiliation.

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Northern Minerals is developing a heavy rare earths project in Western Australia, at a time when the sector has become increasingly strategic for its uses in green energy and defence. Photo: Handout
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump’s Boeing jet deal may help stabilise China-US aerospace ties

Details ranging from specific models, delivery arrangements and how Chinese operators would allocate the 200 planes are still lacking.

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A 737 MAX airplane is seen on the final assembly line at Boeing’s factory in Renton, Washington, April 15, 2026. Photo: AP
Hong Kong politics

Trump ‘not optimistic’ on Jimmy Lai’s release after raising case with Xi

Chinese leader ‘said Jimmy Lai is a tough one for him to do’, US president says on his return trip from Beijing.

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US-China tech war

Trump, Xi weigh AI ‘guard rails’ as Nvidia chip exports hang in the balance

Meeting in Beijing, the presidents weighed safety protocols for the rapidly emerging technology, and H200 chip shipments were a ‘sovereign decision’ for ‌China.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump arrives in China with tech titans and top aides for high-stakes Xi summit

The US president is greeted with elaborate ceremony as he arrives in Beijing for his first trip to China since 2017.

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US President Donald Trump (centre left) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport, where he was greeted by Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng (centre right) on May 13, 2026. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

Chinese company that tracked US bombers over Iran wears sanctions with pride

MizarVision defiant after Washington imposes sweeping ban for publishing open-source images detailing Operation Fury activities.

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Chinese OSINT start-up MizarVision is in Washington's crosshairs over its publication of satellite imagery showing US military activity in the Middle East. Photo: Weibo/觅熵MizarVision
China-Latin America relations

Beijing calls Paraguay leaders willing ‘chess pieces’ after disputed Taiwan trip

Beijing’s anger over President Santiago Pena’s Taipei trade visit comes as Taiwan issue looms large at this week’s Trump-Xi summit.

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Hong Kong politics

China backs Hong Kong courts, ignores calls to free Jimmy Lai ahead of Trump visit

Beijing reaffirms support for Hong Kong judiciary as foreign ministry calls former media boss ‘principal mastermind’ of 2019 anti-government protests.

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump to raise Taiwan, Jimmy Lai case when he meets Xi in Beijing this week

US president claims Chinese leader will be more likely than himself to bring up Taiwan issue, while Lai may also be on the agenda.

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US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Photo: EPA
Asean

Opinion | Why China’s warning over military blocs is finding listeners in Asia

For regional governments, strategy is about preserving options. China has read this instinct carefully and given it a diplomatic vocabulary.

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US-China tech war

US crackdown threat could shake out China’s ‘distillation’ AI copycats: analysts

US plans action against AI ‘distillation’, as analysts warn weaker Chinese start-ups could be forced out within a year.

Japan

Video | Japan scraps long-standing arms export rules

Tokyo approves plan to scrap restrictions, prompting warnings that this could undermine the country’s pacifist constitution.

Cruise missiles, flag of Japan in background - defense concept - 3D illustration. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Pacific nations

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

Pacific nations are the most reliant on diesel for power generation worldwide. They imported about 2.2 million tonnes of fuel in 2025.

Boats ply the waterway in Buka, Papua New Guinea. Many Pacific Island communities rely on boat transport for movement. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

China warns of ‘moves towards militarism’ after Japan eases arms export rules

Tokyo approves plan to scrap restrictions, prompting warnings that this could undermine the country’s pacifist constitution.

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US, Israel war on Iran

What the US-Iran ‘fight-talk’ dynamic means before their ceasefire ends

Meanwhile, China expresses ‘concern’ over America’s interception of Iranian-flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Oman.

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China-New Zealand relations

China complains of ‘harassment’ from New Zealand aerial patrols near coastline

Beijing said the plane had been operating over the Yellow and East China Seas and urged Wellington not to put civilian aircraft in danger.

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A New Zealand P-8A is alleged to have been involved in “reconnaissance and harassment”. Photo: NZDF
US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz blockade: shipping body slams transit fees as 20,000 seafarers stranded

A ‘retrograde’ toll proposal by Tehran risks similar charges in other vital waterways, warns global association for merchant shipowners and operators.

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A person points at a website tracking marine traffic and showing commercial vessels on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast last month. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

China hits out at ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ US blockade of Iran’s ports

Beijing says American move will ‘inflame tensions, escalate the situation and undermine an already fragile ceasefire’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

China says open Hormuz key to global interests as Trump blockade looms

Beijing’s foreign ministry denies that China plans to provide weapons and military tech to Iran.

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