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Mao Ning

The latest news and updates on Mao Ning, a seasoned Chinese diplomat with over 27 years of experience, primarily in Asian affairs. She currently serves as the Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, since January 2025, as Director-General of its Department of Information. Her career includes roles as Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in the US and Deputy Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. A graduate of Hunan Normal University, China Foreign Affairs University, and George Washington University, she is responsible for articulating China’s foreign policy, engaging with international media, and fostering global understanding on diverse issues, from regional stability to trade.

Chinese tourists visit the Sensoji temple in the Asakusa district of Tokyo on November 20. Many Chinese have chosen to cancel their trips to Japan after Beijing issued a travel advisory. Photo: AP

Japan

Opinion | Why Chinese are cancelling their trips to Japan

The Japanese prime minister crossed a red line and reopened old wounds in employing language that echoed rhetoric used by imperial Japan to justify invasion.

30 Nov 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

China warns against Japan travel citing ‘significant’ surge in assaults

27 Nov 2025 - 4:49PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Beijing demands clarity from Japan on one-China principle as row escalates

26 Nov 2025 - 9:31PMvideocam

Taiwan

Taiwanese leader Lai pledges US$40 billion rise in defence spending

William Lai says in newspaper article that the eight-year spending commitment is aimed to create ‘greater costs and uncertainties’ for Beijing.

26 Nov 2025 - 9:12PMvideocam

Lai said the increase would support more arms purchases from the US. Photo: AFP

Science

Amid global fusion energy race, Europe’s top nuclear minds are betting on China

Frustrated by Western delays, top scientists have joined China’s BEST fusion project as it nears ‘uncharted territory’.

26 Nov 2025 - 12:44PMvideocam

China-India border dispute

China defends passport checks on Indian woman born in disputed border region

Foreign ministry says verification process was lawful after traveller claims she was held for 18 hours in Shanghai.

25 Nov 2025 - 10:40PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Xi Jinping pledges support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Chinese president urges respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty, warns against foreign interference as US ramps up regional military activity.

25 Nov 2025 - 6:00AM

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in September 2023. Maduro received the full support of Xi in a letter celebrating the Venezuelan leader’s birthday at the weekend. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

Beijing blasts Japan’s ‘extremely dangerous’ missile deployment near Taiwan

Tokyo’s defence minister says preparation for medium-range, surface-to-air missile deployment on Yonaguni Island is ‘progressing steadily’.

24 Nov 2025 - 10:31PM

South Korea

South Korea’s balancing act at risk as China-Japan tensions mount

The renewed dispute undermines Seoul’s efforts to restore trilateral cooperation in Northeast Asia amid rising threats from North Korea.

22 Nov 2025 - 2:35PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Japan PM says she wants better Beijing ties but doesn’t retract Taiwan comments

Sanae Takaichi insists Tokyo’s policy on Taiwan has been consistent when asked about Beijing’s demands to retract her comments.

21 Nov 2025 - 7:28PMvideocam

Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters on Friday. Photo: Kyodo

China-Japan relations

Tokyo complains over video of diplomat appearing to bow to Chinese official

Japan lodges complaint with China over media filming of Liu Jinsong and Masaaki Kanai after their talks, as diplomatic row worsens.

21 Nov 2025 - 6:26PMvideocam

China’s Asian affairs chief Liu Jinsong (right) and his Japanese counterpart Masaaki Kanai after their meeting in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Handout

China-Japan relations

Japanese concerts cancelled in China as diplomatic row takes cultural toll

Fans of Kokia and JO1 left disappointed as diplomatic dust-up over Sanae Takaichi’s comments ripples out into the economy.

20 Nov 2025 - 5:57PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s renewed sovereignty push over disputed islets irks South Korea, China

China has responded to the row at a media briefing, urging Japan to ‘seriously reflect on its history of aggression’.

19 Nov 2025 - 3:22PM

China-Latin America relations

China’s military mouthpiece hits out at US ‘gunboat diplomacy’ over Venezuela

Commentary in PLA Daily says Washington’s military build-up in the Caribbean is ‘trying to promote regime change’.

18 Nov 2025 - 8:16PM

The USS Gerald R. Ford and a strike group have been deployed in the Caribbean. Photo: Handout

China-Latin America relations

Colombia pushes for talks – to include China – over US military action in region

Petro steps up rhetoric as biggest US aircraft carrier backs an anti-drug operation near Venezuela; the latest strikes face legal questions.

18 Nov 2025 - 3:54AMvideocam

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a high-level security meeting with the United States, China and regional partners to discuss the growing tension in the region. Photo: AFP

Canada

China gives green light to group tours to Canada after Xi-Carney summit

Tensions ease between the two countries as Canadian prime minister seeks to make up for ‘lost time’.

3 Nov 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

US-China relations

China says shorter US visa for mainland journalists risks ‘media warfare’

Chinese embassy in Washington also calls on US to end ‘unwarranted harassment and repatriation’ of Chinese students.

10 Sep 2025 - 9:39PMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump says he will allow 600,000 Chinese to study in US – double current figure

US president says his administration is going to ‘get along good’ with China, and reiterates that Xi Jinping has invited him to visit China.

26 Aug 2025 - 8:35PMvideocam

In a significant shift in tone, President Donald Trump says the US will allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in the US. Photo: AP

2025 Asian Winter Games

Preparations for Saudi Arabia Winter Games in 2029 ‘on schedule’, OCA says

A report last week said the Saudis are ‘struggling to deliver’ a key facility, considering approaching South Korea, China to take over.

25 Aug 2025 - 8:00PM

US-China relations

Beijing accuses US of holding Chinese students in ‘small, dark rooms’

Foreign ministry hits out at ‘discriminatory and politically motivated’ treatment of Chinese nationals arriving at the border.

22 Aug 2025 - 11:02PMvideocam

Ukraine war

China to face greater pressure if US gives Ukraine Nato-style security: analysts

Still, Beijing welcomes engagement between Washington and Moscow to improve their relations and advance ‘political settlement’ of the crisis.

18 Aug 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

China cuts ties with Czech president over his birthday visit to Dalai Lama

Beijing says it ‘lodged serious protests with the Czech side’ after Pavel left Japan to make private trip to see exiled spiritual leader.

13 Aug 2025 - 10:39PMvideocam

China says it is cutting ties with Czech President Petr Pavel after he met the Dalai Lama on July 27 in Leh, Ladakh, India, as part of the exiled spiritual leader’s 90th birthday celebrations. Photo: Dalai Lama/Facebook

China-EU relations

Opinion | If China no longer takes Europe seriously, Brussels has itself to blame

The bloc’s incoherence on China and submission to the US has relegated it to a state of irrelevance, undermining its leverage with both powers.

30 Jul 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | How the Israel-Iran conflict changed the scope of 21st-century warfare

As technology and commerce reshape military strategy and conflict resolution, the role of rising powers in influencing outcomes is instructive.

18 Jul 2025 - 1:30PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | As Trump targets Brics, Indonesia’s autonomy hangs in the balance

Facing renewed tariff threats, Jakarta must now weigh its commitment to a multipolar world against short-term economic interests.

13 Jul 2025 - 5:30AM

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attends the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7. Photo: AFP

China-Asean relations

China blasts ‘immoral’ US trade practices, courts Asean on free trade unity

Foreign Minister Wang Yi presses Southeast Asian countries to not undermine interests of ‘third parties’ as region grapples with US tariffs.

10 Jul 2025 - 8:54PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) stressed cooperation as he described US trade practices as “unreasonable and immoral” during a meeting on Thursday with Md. Touhid Hossain, a foreign affairs adviser for Bangladesh. Photo: Handout

China-EU relations

Red Sea laser row rumbles on as China denies warship targeted German plane

Defence ministry says Berlin’s accusation that the PLA shone a laser at an aircraft in the Red Sea is ‘inconsistent with the facts’.

10 Jul 2025 - 8:40PMvideocam

E-commerce

France fines Shein US$47 million for ‘deceptive’ pricing amid EU scrutiny

Shein did not offer discounts based on the lowest price in the previous 30 days, and sometimes raised prices before applying a reduction.

4 Jul 2025 - 5:00PM

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Mao Ning

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why Chinese are cancelling their trips to Japan

The Japanese prime minister crossed a red line and reopened old wounds in employing language that echoed rhetoric used by imperial Japan to justify invasion.

China warns against Japan travel citing ‘significant’ surge in assaults

Beijing demands clarity from Japan on one-China principle as row escalates

Taiwanese leader Lai pledges US$40 billion rise in defence spending

William Lai says in newspaper article that the eight-year spending commitment is aimed to create ‘greater costs and uncertainties’ for Beijing.

Amid global fusion energy race, Europe’s top nuclear minds are betting on China

Frustrated by Western delays, top scientists have joined China’s BEST fusion project as it nears ‘uncharted territory’.

China defends passport checks on Indian woman born in disputed border region

Foreign ministry says verification process was lawful after traveller claims she was held for 18 hours in Shanghai.

Xi Jinping pledges support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Chinese president urges respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty, warns against foreign interference as US ramps up regional military activity.

Beijing blasts Japan’s ‘extremely dangerous’ missile deployment near Taiwan

Tokyo’s defence minister says preparation for medium-range, surface-to-air missile deployment on Yonaguni Island is ‘progressing steadily’.

South Korea’s balancing act at risk as China-Japan tensions mount

The renewed dispute undermines Seoul’s efforts to restore trilateral cooperation in Northeast Asia amid rising threats from North Korea.

Japan PM says she wants better Beijing ties but doesn’t retract Taiwan comments

Sanae Takaichi insists Tokyo’s policy on Taiwan has been consistent when asked about Beijing’s demands to retract her comments.

Tokyo complains over video of diplomat appearing to bow to Chinese official

Japan lodges complaint with China over media filming of Liu Jinsong and Masaaki Kanai after their talks, as diplomatic row worsens.

Japanese concerts cancelled in China as diplomatic row takes cultural toll

Fans of Kokia and JO1 left disappointed as diplomatic dust-up over Sanae Takaichi’s comments ripples out into the economy.

Japan’s renewed sovereignty push over disputed islets irks South Korea, China

China has responded to the row at a media briefing, urging Japan to ‘seriously reflect on its history of aggression’.

China’s military mouthpiece hits out at US ‘gunboat diplomacy’ over Venezuela

Commentary in PLA Daily says Washington’s military build-up in the Caribbean is ‘trying to promote regime change’.

Colombia pushes for talks – to include China – over US military action in region

Petro steps up rhetoric as biggest US aircraft carrier backs an anti-drug operation near Venezuela; the latest strikes face legal questions.

China gives green light to group tours to Canada after Xi-Carney summit

Tensions ease between the two countries as Canadian prime minister seeks to make up for ‘lost time’.

China says shorter US visa for mainland journalists risks ‘media warfare’

Chinese embassy in Washington also calls on US to end ‘unwarranted harassment and repatriation’ of Chinese students.

Trump says he will allow 600,000 Chinese to study in US – double current figure

US president says his administration is going to ‘get along good’ with China, and reiterates that Xi Jinping has invited him to visit China.

Preparations for Saudi Arabia Winter Games in 2029 ‘on schedule’, OCA says

A report last week said the Saudis are ‘struggling to deliver’ a key facility, considering approaching South Korea, China to take over.

Beijing accuses US of holding Chinese students in ‘small, dark rooms’

Foreign ministry hits out at ‘discriminatory and politically motivated’ treatment of Chinese nationals arriving at the border.

China to face greater pressure if US gives Ukraine Nato-style security: analysts

Still, Beijing welcomes engagement between Washington and Moscow to improve their relations and advance ‘political settlement’ of the crisis.

China cuts ties with Czech president over his birthday visit to Dalai Lama

Beijing says it ‘lodged serious protests with the Czech side’ after Pavel left Japan to make private trip to see exiled spiritual leader.

Opinion | If China no longer takes Europe seriously, Brussels has itself to blame

The bloc’s incoherence on China and submission to the US has relegated it to a state of irrelevance, undermining its leverage with both powers.

Opinion | How the Israel-Iran conflict changed the scope of 21st-century warfare

As technology and commerce reshape military strategy and conflict resolution, the role of rising powers in influencing outcomes is instructive.

Opinion | As Trump targets Brics, Indonesia’s autonomy hangs in the balance

Facing renewed tariff threats, Jakarta must now weigh its commitment to a multipolar world against short-term economic interests.

China blasts ‘immoral’ US trade practices, courts Asean on free trade unity

Foreign Minister Wang Yi presses Southeast Asian countries to not undermine interests of ‘third parties’ as region grapples with US tariffs.

Red Sea laser row rumbles on as China denies warship targeted German plane

Defence ministry says Berlin’s accusation that the PLA shone a laser at an aircraft in the Red Sea is ‘inconsistent with the facts’.

France fines Shein US$47 million for ‘deceptive’ pricing amid EU scrutiny

Shein did not offer discounts based on the lowest price in the previous 30 days, and sometimes raised prices before applying a reduction.

Opinion | Why Chinese are cancelling their trips to Japan