https://www.scmp.com/rss/324241/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com US President Donald Trump said he once thought Beijing had more than enough power to rein in North Korea, but changed his mind after talks last week with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. Recounting his meeting with Xi in Florida and an hour-long phone call on Wednesday, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he had “great chemistry” with the Chinese leader, a reversal of his previous anti-China rhetoric. China’s nuclear get-out clause over defence of North Korea “We like each other. I like... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2087518/10-minutes-xi-jinping-changed-donald-trumps-mind-north?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2087518/10-minutes-xi-jinping-changed-donald-trumps-mind-north?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:30:00 +0000 US President Donald Trump informed the Chinese President Xi Jinping that he had launched missile strikes on Syria as the pair ate “the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you have ever seen”, the US president has claimed. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump offered his first account of how he had broken the news to Xi as they dined at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida at the start of a two-day bridge-building summit last Thursday. “I was sitting at the table. We had finished dinner.... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2087172/trump-told-xi-syria-strikes-over-beautiful-piece?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2087172/trump-told-xi-syria-strikes-over-beautiful-piece?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Apr 2017 16:17:20 +0000 The summit between the world’s two most powerful leaders was surprisingly amicable and constructive. Both sides managed to stick to the script, projecting a shared commitment to responsibly manage their relations. US President Donald Trump and his Chinese guest, President Xi Jinping, seemed cordial, subdued and focused on the difficult task of navigating the most consequential bilateral relationship of the century. The meeting was also partly overshadowed by the White House’s decision to bombard... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2086242/opinion-xi-and-trump-learn-split-difference-trade-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2086242/opinion-xi-and-trump-learn-split-difference-trade-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Apr 2017 16:04:24 +0000 Whilst many people are analysing the political minutiae of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Mar-A-Lago meeting with US President Donald Trump, others are focused on the high-profile women by their sides. Despite airstrikes in Syria, like it or not, people still obsess over the two superpower’s first ladies and their fashion. Each time Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan makes a public appearance, Chinese netizens take to social media in droves to comment on her appearance – most writing elaborate praise and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2086039/observers-praise-chinese-first-ladys-fashion-choices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2086039/observers-praise-chinese-first-ladys-fashion-choices?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Apr 2017 11:30:30 +0000 US President Donald Trump’s young granddaughter had her Mandarin-speaking skills put to the test in front of China’s top leader on Friday. Five-year-old Arabella Kushner serenaded President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan with a popular Chinese folk song and recited Chinese poetry for them during their visit at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. With her was her three-year-old brother, Joseph Kushner. Arabella and Joseph are the two... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2086029/trumps-granddaughter-diplomacy-arabella-5-sings-and-recites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2086029/trumps-granddaughter-diplomacy-arabella-5-sings-and-recites?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Apr 2017 06:00:45 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the door for new dialogue between China and the United States on many of their thorniest issues – ­including trade and ­cybersecurity – on the first day of his summit with US President Donald Trump, who welcomed him warmly as a friend. Xi’s proposal for four parallel consultation mechanisms would replace the now-defunct Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) which helped contain divergent and often conflicting interests between the two nations through regular... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085889/china-suggests-new-platform-regular-dialogue-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085889/china-suggests-new-platform-regular-dialogue-us?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2017 16:03:35 +0000 Surprisingly, there was no awkward moment at all. A five-second handshake, praise for the guest’s wife, introduction of cute grandchildren and talks of friendship – it was all there from US President Donald Trump on Thursday. He behaved just like an experienced politician would towards another state leader. Despite all Trump’s previous harsh comments on China, his first meeting with President Xi Jinping has so far been cordial. What had worried the Chinese the most – the TV reality-show star’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085888/trump-minds-his-manners-smiling-xi-florida-retreat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085888/trump-minds-his-manners-smiling-xi-florida-retreat?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2017 15:47:38 +0000 Washington’s air strikes against the Syrian government while US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping dined in Florida would serve not only as a warning to the unruly North Korean regime, but also pile pressure on Pyongyang’s ally Beijing, diplomatic and military experts say. Rising tensions over North Korea’s accelerated nuclear armament programme are expected to top the summit agenda for both leaders, especially at their formal meeting on Friday. US urges China to take... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085811/us-sends-message-north-korea-strike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085811/us-sends-message-north-korea-strike?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2017 11:30:00 +0000 The US military strike against Syria has overshadowed the first face-to-face meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump, but it may take the heat off the Trump administration to act tougher in talks with China, observers said. The US attacked a Syrian airbase with a barrage of cruise missiles as Trump was hosting Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Thursday. The strike was in response to suspected chemical attack against civilians in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085758/syria-missile-strike-may-ease-pressure-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085758/syria-missile-strike-may-ease-pressure-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2017 08:00:15 +0000 China’s first lady Peng Liyuan opted for a glamorous, traditional indigo qipao dress for the dinner she and her husband attended at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida, despite fashion experts’ advice that she go for a simple, modern and international look that would show a more open and embracing attitude to other cultures. Peng, known to be fond of traditional Chinese designs and motifs, went all out to highlight her Chinese cultural roots on Thursday. In comparison, US first lady... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085742/decoding-messages-behind-first-lady-fashion-xi-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085742/decoding-messages-behind-first-lady-fashion-xi-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2017 07:15:15 +0000 US President Donald Trump has accepted his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit China, state-media reported on Friday. State-run Xinhua news agency made the announcement as the two leaders are meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Why the Xi-Trump summit is a high-stakes gamble Xi arrived in Florida for the summit with Trump on Thursday, US time. He and his wife Peng Liyuan attended a welcome dinner hosted by Trump and his wife Melania. Ahead of the dinner,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085743/trump-accepts-xi-jinpings-invitation-visit-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085743/trump-accepts-xi-jinpings-invitation-visit-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2017 07:15:00 +0000 A simple, minimal pattern and one single colour – that’s the advice of fashion experts for Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan when she goes toe to hemline against Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump at the opulent Mar-a-Lago resort. Peng was to join Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump, along with Melania and Ivanka, for a dinner Thursday night US time, and one highlight of the affair is expected be the choice of attire. Peng, a former singing star with the People’s Liberation... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085523/chinas-first-lady-goes-toe-hemline-trump-women?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085523/chinas-first-lady-goes-toe-hemline-trump-women?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:00:30 +0000 The removal of US President Donald Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon, who is known for his tough rhetoric against China, from the National Security Council will provide short-term relief to Beijing, but Sino-US ties still face uncertainty, observers say. The removal of Bannon on Thursday may reduce hawkish voices towards China, and the decision was announced ahead of the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Trump dumps chief... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085411/bannons-removal-us-national-security-council-provides?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2085411/bannons-removal-us-national-security-council-provides?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Apr 2017 08:02:04 +0000 When Chinese President Xi Jinping lands in Florida’s Palm Beach County Park Airport, known as Lantana Airport, for his first meeting with his US counterpart Donald Trump, everything will be well scripted, from the motorcade to the drinks on the table. With these kinds of trips, no detail is too small. Accommodation in Palm Beach Xi will stay at the Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa, a few kilometres south of Mar-a-Lago, where the two leaders will have talks, according to NBC. The resort will be... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084469/bed-breakfast-and-beverages-fine-details-go-planning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084469/bed-breakfast-and-beverages-fine-details-go-planning?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Apr 2017 13:00:48 +0000 Among the many items on the agenda for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit next week to the United States for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump, learning who to trust in Trump’s team and who has the president’s ear will be a key task , analysts say. Following a period of great uncertainty since Trump was elected, China has learned to adopt new ways of communication in dealing with the unpredictable US leader, mainly through his trusted advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084442/key-mission-china-xi-trump-summit-learning-who-has-his?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084442/key-mission-china-xi-trump-summit-learning-who-has-his?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Apr 2017 23:03:13 +0000 When Donald Trump was a boy, his parents apparently concluded he needed discipline. So they sent him to a military school. What he was taught apparently did not stick, however, judging from his chaotic behaviour as an adult and now as president of the United States. When Xi Jinping ( 習近平 ) was a boy, he experienced the life-threatening chaos of the Cultural Revolution at first hand and learned to subjugate and discipline himself. Now, as China’s Communist Party general secretary and the nation’s... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2084377/can-xi-jinping-and-donald-trump-show-maturity-when-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2084377/can-xi-jinping-and-donald-trump-show-maturity-when-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Apr 2017 09:40:26 +0000 The first summit between President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump takes place at the US president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida this week and officials responsible for formulating their nations’ foreign policies will be put under the spotlight. The two leaders are expected to tackle a range of issues from North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme to trade disputes. Here are some of the key members of both leaders’ teams of advisers. XI JINPING: Yang Jiechi, State Councillor An experienced diplomat,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084348/men-and-woman-shaping-china-us-ties-ahead-xi-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084348/men-and-woman-shaping-china-us-ties-ahead-xi-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Apr 2017 06:15:00 +0000 China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi spoke by phone with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday to make sure the first meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump later this week will be a “complete success”. Yang told Tillerson the summit at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Thursday and Friday was the “the top priority” for the two countries, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The meeting “has significant meaning for developing China-US... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084292/top-us-china-officials-pledge-make-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2084292/top-us-china-officials-pledge-make-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Apr 2017 03:00:45 +0000 US presidents have long hosted their chief allies and rivals at relatively informal, getting to know you sessions stripped of the pomp and circumstance of a state visit. Dwight Eisenhower invited the Soviet Union’s Nikita Khrushchev to his Pennsylvania farm in 1959 and Richard Nixon hosted Khrushchev’s successor, Leonid Brezhnev, at his home in California in 1973. Nowadays another communist power, China, aspires to take the Soviet Union’s place, with Chinese President Xi Jinping preparing for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083747/why-protocol-still-matters-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083747/why-protocol-still-matters-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Apr 2017 05:00:15 +0000 China’s top diplomat will finally have his moment when President Xi Jinping basks in the limelight of his first sit-down encounter with US counterpart Donald Trump at the lavish Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida next week. State Councillor Yang Jiechi, Xi’s top foreign policy aide, is widely believed to have played a central role in preparations for the summit, which diplomatic pundits describe as a “blind date” between two alpha males. According to diplomatic sources in Beijing, Yang, who outranks... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083810/man-behind-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083810/man-behind-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Apr 2017 10:00:45 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and American President Donald Trump will hold a get-acquainted summit next week at Trump’s seaside retreat in Florida. Simply the fact that the two are meeting is a positive sign that provides some much-needed reassurance to a very uncertain relationship between the two countries. The entire Asia-Pacific region and the wider world have been nervously anticipating how the two major powers will deal with each other. While each leader will take the other’s measure... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2083512/can-steely-xi-jinping-and-volatile-donald-trump-find-right?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2083512/can-steely-xi-jinping-and-volatile-donald-trump-find-right?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Mar 2017 06:07:07 +0000 When President Xi Jinping meets his US counterpart Donald Trump next week, tea rather than beer might be the best way to oil the wheels of the diplomatic relationship. Xi was quick to cross the cultural divide and share an ale with former British prime minister David Cameron in 2015 but that tactic will not work for Trump, a teetotaller since the death of his brother from an alcohol-related illness in 1981 at the age of 43. Leow Chee Seng, a professor of non-verbal communication and behaviour at... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083723/avoid-beer-and-skip-handshake-how-xi-should-handle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083723/avoid-beer-and-skip-handshake-how-xi-should-handle?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Mar 2017 02:30:30 +0000 US President Donald Trump may be bugging Beijing with his tweets but his daughter Ivanka is winning Chinese friends and is set to influence bilateral ties after her formal appointment to the White House. Chinese analysts said the 35-year-old businesswoman, who confirmed on Wednesday that she would be an unpaid adviser in her father’s administration, played an important role in helping counter her father’s combative approach towards Beijing. The former model has been on a charm offensive with... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083562/ivanka-trump-us-presidents-new-china-charmer-chief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2083562/ivanka-trump-us-presidents-new-china-charmer-chief?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Mar 2017 14:15:00 +0000 US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping should be able to forge a personal connection that will benefit broader ties between their two nations if they do meet next month, observers say. Although tensions between the two sides were likely to continue, both leaders project strong personalities, which could provide the basis for a lasting bond, they said. According to US media reports, Trump will host Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida on April 6 and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2078888/politics-aside-trump-and-xi-could-bond-strong-men?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2078888/politics-aside-trump-and-xi-could-bond-strong-men?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2017 16:00:30 +0000