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China’s military
North Korea sanctions
US-China relations
North Korea nuclear crisis
South China Sea
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China-EU relations

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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China-Japan relations

Is Japan’s treaty-day Taiwan Strait warship transit a new flashpoint with China?

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China-Africa relations

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

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Focus

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Illustration: Brian Wang
US, Israel war on Iran

Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of Hormuz?

Tehran is looking for room to manoeuvre on bigger issues as a ceasefire deadline looms next week, observers say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

How China’s military could learn vital lessons from war in Iran

The US-Israeli attacks are a ‘massive learning opportunity’, a Middle East analyst tells a seminar held in Shenzhen.

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Iran

Iran reimposes shipping restrictions on Strait of Hormuz

The waterway has ‘returned to its previous state’, Tehran says, accusing Washington of banditry and maritime piracy.

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Shipping restrictions have changed again in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterways. Photo: Reuters
Shipping restrictions have changed again in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterways. Photo: Reuters
China-Japan relations

Is Takaichi putting Japan’s pacifist constitution on the chopping block?

Goal of changing the post-war system has never been closer, but upper house could still be a stumbling block, analysts argue.

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US-China relations

Trump predicts meeting with Xi will be ‘special’ ahead of China visit

The US leader said ‘much will be accomplished’, but one analyst says the war in Iran means he has ‘lost almost all his bargaining chips’.

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China-Africa relations

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

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Cargo ships in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, on March 11. Photo: Reuters
United States

Iran has opened Strait of Hormuz but will the US ease its economic squeeze?

Chinese analysts say Tehran has long shown resilience in the face of sanctions and other US tactics.

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With a two-week ceasefire to expire next week, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth says the US will attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure if diplomatic efforts fail. Photo: AFP
With a two-week ceasefire to expire next week, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth says the US will attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure if diplomatic efforts fail. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

China, Vietnam vow to ‘better’ navigate South China Sea disputes

Joint communique indicates wish to keep maritime disputes from jeopardising ties and caps To Lam’s trip.

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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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China-Japan relations

China slams Japan for sending warship through Taiwan Strait

Beijing calls move a ‘deliberate provocation’ that undermines peace and stability in the strait.

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The Japanese Self-Defence Forces will send approximately 1,400 personnel, multiple warships, aircraft and Type 88 anti-ship missile systems to the annual US-Philippine military drills next week. Photo: AP
US-China relations

US-China tensions simmer, economy outperforms, Auto China begins

This week: The US and China exchange trade-war swings, China’s economic growth beats expectations, and the US blockades Iranian ports. Next week: Carmakers debut models at Auto China, Victory Giant starts trading after Hong Kong IPO, robots compete in Beijing half marathon and more.

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Coalition of more than 30 nations to meet in Paris for a summit to find a ‘credible proposal’ to restore shipping through the strait.

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US-China trade war

Why the biggest threat to US dollar dominance may well be Washington itself

Economic sanctions, access to US-led banking systems are powerful tools, but overuse reduces their effectiveness over time, Congress told.

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US-China trade war

‘Buy what they can, steal what they can’t’: US lawmakers slam China’s AI tactics

US lawmakers, experts accused Beijing of buying ‘what they can’ and stealing ‘what they cannot’ from America to advance their AI technology.

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Employees train AI service robots in a Southern Power Grid company laboratory in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China, on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Employees train AI service robots in a Southern Power Grid company laboratory in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China, on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE
US, Israel war on Iran

Will China arm Iran during the ceasefire?

Pentagon says Beijing offered assurances as US tightens blockade and warns Tehran talks could quickly give way to renewed strikes.

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China-Asean relations

Can Japan’s US$10b energy shield oust China’s influence in Southeast Asia?

Pledge is a bid to ‘embed Japan at the centre of Southeast Asia’s energy security architecture’, observer notes, but questions its impact.

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China-Japan relations

China says embassy intrusion, bomb threat are among ‘grave violations’ in Japan

Acting head of embassy lists incidents he describes as ‘a threat to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and premises’.

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A police officer stands guard at an entrance to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on March 25, 2026, a day after a man was apprehended for allegedly trespassing onto the grounds of the embassy. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

China warns travellers to avoid Seattle airport after academics denied entry to US

About 20 Chinese scholars going to conference harassed and interrogated at border, Beijing says.

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China has advised travellers to avoid entry to the US via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after about 20 academics were denied entry to attend a conference. Photo: AP
China has advised travellers to avoid entry to the US via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after about 20 academics were denied entry to attend a conference. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Open Questions | Europe lacks China strategy, needs new US approach, Biscop says

Sven Biscop, director at the Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels, on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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China-Africa relations

Why China’s trade with Africa benefits from Trump’s policy volatility

Continent is China’s fastest growing export market in first quarter of 2026, with machinery and hi-tech shipments leading US$60 billion surge.

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US, Israel war on Iran

China’s Wang Yi calls on Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through strait

In phone call with Iran’s top envoy, China’s foreign minister says situation is at ‘critical stage of transition between conflict and peace’.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Iranian counterpart in a phone call on Wednesday regarding the Iran war and access to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Xinhua
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