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US-China relations: the Asian angle

US-China relations: the Asian angle
As the world's two greatest powers jostle for economic influence, what does the future have in store for Asia?
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping participate in an arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Photo: AP
Trump and US first lady Melania Trump greet Xi and China’s first lady Peng Liyuan upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi calls for cooperation with US after Trump’s airport welcome – as it happened

The Chinese president began a three-day visit to Washington, with a host of vital topics to be discussed.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, China need nuclear-style AI safeguards, congressman says before Xi summit

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, Japan and South Korea launch economic-security talks before Xi summit

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US-China relations

Opinion | Success of Xi-Trump summit lies in what happens afterwards

The real value of the Washington meeting between the presidents of the US and China is whether its understandings survive the next bilateral dispute.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
2026 Xi-Trump summits

US announces AI dialogue with China, launches Board of Trade

Key outcomes released after eight-hour marathon meeting in New York.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

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Asean

Opinion | As the global order fragments, at least Asean is still talking

A modest lesson in a multipolar world is that sometimes the achievement is simply that disagreement does not end the conversation.

US President Donald Trump (third from left) gathers with Asean leaders for a group photo before the 13th Asean-US summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025. Photo: AFP
Thailand

US throws weight behind Thai submarine cable that skips South China Sea

The 18,507km long cable connecting Thailand with America would be built to US engineering standards.

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China-India relations

Xi tells Modi of China and India’s ‘responsibilities’ as Global South powers

Leaders meet on sidelines of Brics summit in New Delhi; Indian statement says they reaffirmed that ‘differences should not become disputes’.

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SCO

SCO takes landmark stand on nuclear security as Iran comes under renewed attack

The bloc underscores members’ rights to peaceful nuclear development in broader pushback at Western powers, analyst says.

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The SCO has released its first dedicated declaration on nuclear safety and security. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP
China trade

China’s US$10.8b short cut: new Pinglu Canal prepares to supercharge Asean trade

Delivery of first command vessel looks to signal imminent opening of megaproject connecting inland factories directly to Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam.

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Trial vessels are seen at a navigation lock on the Pinglu Canal in China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on August 12. Photo: Xinhua
Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia isn’t buying the US’ offer of ‘flexible realism’

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby talked up US partnerships with Asean nations during his trip to the region, but Washington’s actions contradict its ‘Asia first’ rhetoric.

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US-China relations

Global US immigrant visa pause: fallout across China, Asia and Hong Kong

On August 26, the US State Department announced a temporary pause on immigrant visa interview appointments at all embassies and consulates globally. Explore our complete coverage of its ripple effects across mainland China, Hong Kong, and the rest of Asia.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker urges firms to expand into emerging markets amid US visa pause

Jonathan Lamport tells SCMP the local business community is closely monitoring whether business visa processing, approvals will be affected.

The US consulate in Hong Kong and Macau on Garden Road in Central. Photo: Jelly Tse
US-China relations

Trump pick Darline Graham wins election despite struggling over Taiwan question

The political newcomer wins Republican Senate nomination after failing to answer questions about South China Sea issues.

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Republican Senator Darline Graham addresses supporters on Tuesday after winning a special primary run-off to replace her brother, the late Lindsey Graham in the November general election. Photo: AP
Diplomacy

Opinion | For states, being part of everything doesn’t mean being part of nothing

The opposite of commitment is breach, not multiplicity. A nation’s reliability isn’t measured by how many treaties it signs.

US-China relations

Fewer anti-Asian hate crimes in US, but immigration crackdowns raise concerns

Advocates say new FBI figures likely represent only ‘tip of the iceberg’ and many suffering abuse decline to report it to authorities.

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US-China relations

Exclusive: The Jacob Helberg interview

In this exclusive interview, US Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg discusses the AI battle between Washington and Beijing, talks American efforts to end dependence on China’s rare earths, and gives a commitment to the Philippines on the Pax Silica Initiative.

Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg speaks at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, in February 2026. Photo: AP
US-China tech war

Can science bridge the US-China trust gap? Maybe with new rules, researchers say

Continuous dialogue and clearly defined boundaries between security and development are crucial, Fudan University researchers say.

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US-China relations

Top Chinese South Pacific security partner to let US patrol its waters

Agreement will allow US vessels to patrol with local police as Honiara expands maritime ties with Washington despite close Beijing links.

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US-China relations

Asian-American groups fear Trump’s escalating rhetoric will fuel racism in US

Community leaders warn US president’s explosive China election-interference allegations may see rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.

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President Donald Trump’s allegations of US election manipulation by China have triggered concern among Asian-American community leaders and groups in the US. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

Many allegations, little evidence: unpacking China election-interference records

Declassified US intelligence files showing millions of Americans’ voter information do not back Trump’s claims Beijing hacked 2020 election.

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US President Donald Trump gestures at the White House in Washington on Thursday after a national address focusing heavily on US election security. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Trump’s election-interference claims spark fears among Chinese-Americans

US president’s prime-time address draws sharp backlash from immigrants who fear a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes.

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South China Sea

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

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

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US-China relations

China accuses US of ignoring Trump, Xi rapport and targeting Chinese firms

Beijing claims US misused its power by blacklisting more than 60 Chinese companies after goodwill generated at Trump-Xi summit in May.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump enjoy a friendly exchange after a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15, 2026. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

US says China gave only hours’ warning before Pacific submarine missile launch

Washington says Beijing’s notification of launch fell short of expected standard followed by other established nuclear powers.

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A test missile is fired from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine towards the Pacific Ocean on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
China-Latin America relations

A year into Trump’s tariffs, Brazil trades less with US and more with China

Trading report lands as USTR weighs extra 25 per cent levy and Flavio Bolsonaro tells hearing that Lula ‘licks China’s boots’.

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China's military weapons

What does China’s submarine missile test mean for its nuclear triad expansion?

More than a technical milestone, undersea launch sends strategic signal to the US and Beijing’s neighbours in Asia-Pacific, analysts say.

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