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Wang Yi

Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, became the first Chinese diplomat in decades to sit on the powerful Politburo Standing Committee, the party’s now 24-men decision making body. Wang has been the face of China’s evolving foreign policy under President Xi Jinping since 2013.

Born

19 Oct 1953

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Minister of Foreign Affairs, China

North Korea

Xi’s visit to North Korean war monument evokes ‘eternal historical memory’

Chinese and North Korean leaders recall ‘shared battles’ as tribute paid to Chinese People’s Volunteers who fought during Korean war.

9 Jun 2026 - 8:34PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

Xi returns to exclusive Pyongyang guest house only a handful of leaders ever see

9 Jun 2026 - 10:30AMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

Pyongyang rolls out the red carpet as Xi is welcomed with pomp and ceremony

8 Jun 2026 - 9:20PMvideocam

China-Canada relations

Can Carney’s US-China juggling act keep Canada’s ‘primary relationship’ intact?

A recent visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the delicate balancing act the Canadian prime minister is trying to pull off.

7 Jun 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pictured with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his office in Ottawa on May 29. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Opinion | Norman Bethune’s story still holds lessons for China-Canada relations

The Canadian doctor, hailed a hero in China, was driven by personal conviction; there are others today, tilling the soil of Sino-Canadian friendship.

7 Jun 2026 - 5:30AM

Diplomacy

As I see it | Trump is turning allies and partners into friends of China

Dealing with Beijing offers countries such as Canada and India more leverage with the US in addition to economic benefits.

5 Jun 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

5 Jun 2026 - 12:06AM

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, seen in May, says the EU is seeking “meaningful and sustainable" discussions with Beijing. Photo: pool via AP

China-EU relations

Putin in Beijing, ‘China shock’ in EU: 7 global relations reads

From ‘miscalculation’ by the Dutch navy to China on Iran mediation, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in May 2026.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:00PM

China-UK relations

China-UK ties thaw: Wang urges that they ‘further communicate’, align positions

Citing global turbulence, Beijing’s top diplomat also calls for stronger ‘high-level exchanges’ and ‘more tangible and visible outcomes’.

3 Jun 2026 - 9:04AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

China urges Brazil to jointly repel ‘external challenges’ as ties deepen

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Wang Yi and Han Zheng as Brazil seeks key stable fertiliser supply amid US-Iran conflict.

2 Jun 2026 - 6:11AM

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

Xi-Trump aftermath, space tactics, AI policy change: 7 US-China relations reads

From Xi-Trump meeting analysis to soybean worries and tech plans, here are highlights from our correspondents in the second half of May 2026.

10 Jun 2026 - 10:08AM

Chinese President Xi Jinping gestures as he meets with US President Donald Trump during a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Beijing slams Czech senate president’s Taiwan trip, demands remedial action

Milos Vystrcil, who is leading a delegation from business, academic and cultural sectors, is set to meet island’s leader and other officials.

1 Jun 2026 - 8:04PMvideocam

Myanmar

Myanmar’s China-backed mega dam revival risks Kachin rebel backlash

Restarting the shelved US$3.6 billion Myitsone Dam project could ultimately come down to Beijing’s ‘risk tolerance’.

1 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

China-UK relations

In sign of easing UK-China ties, British Foreign Secretary set for 3-day visit

Announcement comes days after delegations from both countries sat down at Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss concrete military engagement.

31 May 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will visit China from Monday to Wednesday, including a trip to Shenzhen, before heading to India. Photo: EPA

Canada

Canada might double exports to China, Wang Yi says during rare visit

Wang is on a three-day ⁠trip to Canada, the first such visit by a Chinese foreign minister in a decade.

30 May 2026 - 3:39AMvideocam

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his office in Ottawa on Friday. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

China, US at ‘historical crossroads’, Beijing’s envoy tells New York gala event

Nixon, Bush and Rockefeller families are among evening’s honorees, along with former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa.

29 May 2026 - 7:47PM

China-Latin America relations

Panama rejects US pressure claims as it seeks to ease China tensions

Panamanian president looks to defuse issues with Beijing as South American country attempts to renew key China maritime agreement.

29 May 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

Panama

China warns against ‘third party’ influence as Panama Canal port dispute simmers

Wang Yi also says Beijing ready to deepen cooperation with Panama City amid US pressure over operation of ports.

27 May 2026 - 7:56PMvideocam

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Tuesday. Photo: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China-Latin America relations

Panama encourages dialogue at UN as canal tensions with China simmer

Panama’s foreign minister uses UN speech to help defuse tension after deterioration in Panama-China relations due to canal dispute.

27 May 2026 - 6:51AMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

27 May 2026 - 10:15AMvideocam

US-China relations

China’s Wang Yi tells UN multilateralism must be protected in swipe at US

Beijing’s top diplomat says ‘world peace and security are in great jeopardy’ and that UN Charter should be safeguarded at all costs.

27 May 2026 - 6:57AMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Photo: AP

China-Asean relations

Top China, Singapore diplomats reaffirm commitment to Malacca Strait transit

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells counterpart that keeping the critical shipping lane open is ‘a shared aspiration of all countries’.

26 May 2026 - 7:13PMvideocam

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

Asian Angle | What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia

The real test of Beijing and Washington’s adoption of ‘constructive strategic stability’ will be how words translate into action.

23 May 2026 - 11:00AM

US-China relations

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

Wang Yi set to chair UN Security Council meeting in New York this month before travelling to Ottawa for talks with Canadian counterpart.

22 May 2026 - 9:21PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

China’s Xi Jinping expected to visit North Korea as early as next week

The news comes hard on the heels of visits to Beijing by the presidents of the United States and Russia.

21 May 2026 - 7:32PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Xi Jinping at Pyongyang airport in June 2019. Photo: AFP

China-Middle East relations

Why Iran’s choice of Beijing envoy signals an ‘unprecedented’ commitment

Prominent hardliner Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, is a veteran of peace talks with the US.

18 May 2026 - 7:57PMvideocam

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is “likely a figure who can represent Iran and is acceptable to all domestic political factions”, according to a Chinese scholar. Photo: TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

How does the Strait of Hormuz stand-off look in the wake of Trump-Xi summit?

The US and Iran are both considering their next moves as the deadlock over the key shipping route continues.

18 May 2026 - 8:30AMvideocam

Bangladesh

Bangladesh turns to China for Teesta river project, testing India ties

Bangladesh’s new prime minister has formally asked China to help with a long-delayed river project near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor.

16 May 2026 - 1:30PM

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Wang Yi

Xi’s visit to North Korean war monument evokes ‘eternal historical memory’

Chinese and North Korean leaders recall ‘shared battles’ as tribute paid to Chinese People’s Volunteers who fought during Korean war.

Xi returns to exclusive Pyongyang guest house only a handful of leaders ever see

Pyongyang rolls out the red carpet as Xi is welcomed with pomp and ceremony

Can Carney’s US-China juggling act keep Canada’s ‘primary relationship’ intact?

A recent visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the delicate balancing act the Canadian prime minister is trying to pull off.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Norman Bethune’s story still holds lessons for China-Canada relations

The Canadian doctor, hailed a hero in China, was driven by personal conviction; there are others today, tilling the soil of Sino-Canadian friendship.

As I see it | Trump is turning allies and partners into friends of China

Dealing with Beijing offers countries such as Canada and India more leverage with the US in addition to economic benefits.

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

Putin in Beijing, ‘China shock’ in EU: 7 global relations reads

From ‘miscalculation’ by the Dutch navy to China on Iran mediation, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in May 2026.

China-UK ties thaw: Wang urges that they ‘further communicate’, align positions

Citing global turbulence, Beijing’s top diplomat also calls for stronger ‘high-level exchanges’ and ‘more tangible and visible outcomes’.

China urges Brazil to jointly repel ‘external challenges’ as ties deepen

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Wang Yi and Han Zheng as Brazil seeks key stable fertiliser supply amid US-Iran conflict.

Xi-Trump aftermath, space tactics, AI policy change: 7 US-China relations reads

From Xi-Trump meeting analysis to soybean worries and tech plans, here are highlights from our correspondents in the second half of May 2026.

Beijing slams Czech senate president’s Taiwan trip, demands remedial action

Milos Vystrcil, who is leading a delegation from business, academic and cultural sectors, is set to meet island’s leader and other officials.

Myanmar’s China-backed mega dam revival risks Kachin rebel backlash

Restarting the shelved US$3.6 billion Myitsone Dam project could ultimately come down to Beijing’s ‘risk tolerance’.

In sign of easing UK-China ties, British Foreign Secretary set for 3-day visit

Announcement comes days after delegations from both countries sat down at Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss concrete military engagement.

Canada might double exports to China, Wang Yi says during rare visit

Wang is on a three-day ⁠trip to Canada, the first such visit by a Chinese foreign minister in a decade.

China, US at ‘historical crossroads’, Beijing’s envoy tells New York gala event

Nixon, Bush and Rockefeller families are among evening’s honorees, along with former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa.

Panama rejects US pressure claims as it seeks to ease China tensions

Panamanian president looks to defuse issues with Beijing as South American country attempts to renew key China maritime agreement.

China warns against ‘third party’ influence as Panama Canal port dispute simmers

Wang Yi also says Beijing ready to deepen cooperation with Panama City amid US pressure over operation of ports.

Panama encourages dialogue at UN as canal tensions with China simmer

Panama’s foreign minister uses UN speech to help defuse tension after deterioration in Panama-China relations due to canal dispute.

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

China’s Wang Yi tells UN multilateralism must be protected in swipe at US

Beijing’s top diplomat says ‘world peace and security are in great jeopardy’ and that UN Charter should be safeguarded at all costs.

Top China, Singapore diplomats reaffirm commitment to Malacca Strait transit

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells counterpart that keeping the critical shipping lane open is ‘a shared aspiration of all countries’.

Asian Angle | What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia

The real test of Beijing and Washington’s adoption of ‘constructive strategic stability’ will be how words translate into action.

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

Wang Yi set to chair UN Security Council meeting in New York this month before travelling to Ottawa for talks with Canadian counterpart.

China’s Xi Jinping expected to visit North Korea as early as next week

The news comes hard on the heels of visits to Beijing by the presidents of the United States and Russia.

Why Iran’s choice of Beijing envoy signals an ‘unprecedented’ commitment

Prominent hardliner Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, is a veteran of peace talks with the US.

How does the Strait of Hormuz stand-off look in the wake of Trump-Xi summit?

The US and Iran are both considering their next moves as the deadlock over the key shipping route continues.

Bangladesh turns to China for Teesta river project, testing India ties

Bangladesh’s new prime minister has formally asked China to help with a long-delayed river project near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor.

Opinion | Norman Bethune’s story still holds lessons for China-Canada relations