https://www.scmp.com/rss/524498/feed 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... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Teresa Elena Frontado,Igor Patrick Teresa Elena Frontado,Igor Patrick China and Russia expressed support for Cuba’s embattled government amid mounting pressure from the United States, as Moscow’s deputy foreign minister concluded a visit to Havana and Beijing signalled its willingness to step up diplomatic backing for the island. “China is willing to work with the international community to firmly support Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and opposing external interference,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday. “The US... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3349715/china-russia-rally-behind-cuba-us-squeezes-havana-deepening-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3349715/china-russia-rally-behind-cuba-us-squeezes-havana-deepening-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:30:44 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu China’s state assets watchdog has established a new department to oversee foreign investments, as firms continue to expand their global footprint amid an increasingly turbulent geopolitical outlook. The new bureau, launched by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) on Wednesday, will guide state-owned enterprises in their international operations, according to its website. It will also be responsible for helping firms optimise and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349496/china-strengthens-oversight-state-owned-assets-overseas-amid-global-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349496/china-strengthens-oversight-state-owned-assets-overseas-amid-global-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Khushboo Razdan,Dewey Sim,Teresa Elena Frontado,Lucy Quaggin Khushboo Razdan,Dewey Sim,Teresa Elena Frontado,Lucy Quaggin Control of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the central fault line in US-Iran negotiations, with US President Donald Trump appearing to recast an earlier off-the-cuff idea into a more formal proposal that seeks to bridge Tehran’s push for dominance and Washington’s insistence on open passage. Following his Tuesday announcement of a two-week ceasefire, Trump on Wednesday told the American Broadcasting Company that his administration may seek a “joint venture” with Iran to safeguard the global... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3349436/strait-hormuz-trump-iran-joint-venture-really-possible?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3349436/strait-hormuz-trump-iran-joint-venture-really-possible?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:02:48 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Japan is considering plans to relax its rules on the sale of offensive weapons in a move that one Chinese analyst said may open the door to it exporting weapons to war zones and possibly to Taiwan. Currently, Japan can only export military equipment designated for five defensive purposes: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance or minesweeping. But a draft government document, reportedly seen by the news agency Kyodo, would scrap this rule and these categories. Kyodo said the new regulations... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349045/why-china-worried-japans-plans-change-rules-arms-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349045/why-china-worried-japans-plans-change-rules-arms-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:37:00 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai From glimmering floral-patterned glassware to the vivid colours of intricately designed Persian carpets, artefacts from Iran have captivated visitors to a museum in northern China, where they have avoided the risks of damage in the war waged by the US and Israel. The relics, on display at the Inner Mongolia Museum in the regional capital Hohhot since December, have drawn growing attention since the start of the conflict in the Middle East and highlighted a cultural exchange that has been quietly... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348939/time-war-chinese-museums-are-safe-haven-ancient-treasures-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348939/time-war-chinese-museums-are-safe-haven-ancient-treasures-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:00:13 +0000 Shi Jiangtao,Khushboo Razdan Shi Jiangtao,Khushboo Razdan China said on Tuesday it would enhance “strategic coordination” with Pakistan on the Iran crisis to promote dialogue and help end the conflict as Islamabad’s top diplomat Ishaq Dar arrived in Beijing. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Dar to discuss ways to de-escalate regional tensions and to formally launch a joint five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East. Key points of the plan include a call for an immediate ceasefire, a halt to attacks on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348571/china-pledges-strategic-coordination-pakistan-help-end-us-war-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348571/china-pledges-strategic-coordination-pakistan-help-end-us-war-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:05:51 +0000 Phoebe Zhang Phoebe Zhang The deadly US-Israeli military strikes on Iran have triggered an outpouring of public sympathy and support in China, with many social media users condemning the attacks and discussing ways to help. The Iranian embassy in China thanked the “righteous” Chinese public on Thursday for their support, but said it was not accepting financial help from Chinese individuals and organisations for now. “The embassy would like to express its sincere gratitude to the civilised and righteous Chinese people,”... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3345584/iran-thanks-chinese-public-after-us-israeli-air-strikes-prompt-online-wave-sympathy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3345584/iran-thanks-chinese-public-after-us-israeli-air-strikes-prompt-online-wave-sympathy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:42:52 +0000 Mark Magnier Mark Magnier Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi urged his Israeli counterpart to help bring about an immediate end to the war in Iran during a call on Tuesday, reportedly held at Israel’s request. The call came three days after Israel and the United States launched a massive attack on Tehran, killing its Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his wife and senior Iranian officials, prompting largely ineffective Iranian counter-attacks across the Middle East to date. “China opposes any military strikes launched by... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345325/china-urges-israel-end-war-iran-regional-tensions-escalate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345325/china-urges-israel-end-war-iran-regional-tensions-escalate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:08:00 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim The massive American military strikes on Iran could add a new layer of uncertainty to US President Donald Trump’s high-stakes trip to China at the end of the month, observers warn. They said that while the visit was expected to go ahead as planned, the escalating conflict in the Middle East could fuel fresh concerns in Beijing over Washington’s global assertiveness and ambitions. Large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iran since Saturday have killed senior Iranian figures including the supreme... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345181/will-iran-attack-derail-trumps-high-stakes-china-visit-meet-xi-jinping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345181/will-iran-attack-derail-trumps-high-stakes-china-visit-meet-xi-jinping?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:06:00 +0000 Ji Siqi,Mia Nurmamat Ji Siqi,Mia Nurmamat The escalating conflict in the Middle East – which is sending oil prices soaring and disrupting shipping traffic along the Strait of Hormuz – should not pose an immediate threat to China’s crude supply, but will add urgency to the country’s energy security drive, analysts said. Since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran over the weekend, commercial traffic has largely come to a standstill along the Strait of Hormuz – a waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345135/iran-conflict-will-accelerate-chinas-push-become-energy-powerhouse-analysts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345135/iran-conflict-will-accelerate-chinas-push-become-energy-powerhouse-analysts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Victoria Bela Victoria Bela China has stepped in to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan following an escalation of their conflict, urging both sides to end the fighting and settle their disputes through dialogue. This comes after Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan on Friday, including the capital Kabul, and declared “open war” with its neighbour after months of deadly clashes. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday that as a neighbour and a friend to both countries, China was... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344907/china-seeks-mediate-after-pakistan-declares-open-war-afghanistan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344907/china-seeks-mediate-after-pakistan-declares-open-war-afghanistan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:14:43 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang China has doubled down on its hard line against any nuclear escalation in Ukraine and called for restraint following Russia’s claims that Britain and France are planning to give Kyiv nuclear weapons. Asked on Wednesday about Moscow’s accusation towards the two European nations, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning urged all sides to avoid actions that could cause misunderstandings or escalate tensions. “We call on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid any moves... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344689/china-affirms-no-nukes-position-amid-claims-european-plan-arm-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344689/china-affirms-no-nukes-position-amid-claims-european-plan-arm-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Laura Zhou,Orange Wang Laura Zhou,Orange Wang Kyiv’s top envoy to Beijing has called on China to play its “important” and “critical” role to help end the war in Ukraine, which is now stretching into a fifth year. “We are working with all international partners to bring a sustainable and lasting peace, and we believe that our host country, China, is uniquely positioned to play an important and in many ways critical role in this process,” Olexander Nechytaylo, Ukrainian ambassador to China, told foreign diplomats in the Chinese capital on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344498/ukraine-urges-china-play-critical-role-peace-war-enters-fifth-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344498/ukraine-urges-china-play-critical-role-peace-war-enters-fifth-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:00:14 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung The United States’ decision to withdraw from dozens of UN and other international organisations may have dealt another blow to Taiwan’s efforts to raise its global profile amid mounting pressure from Beijing. While Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s government has sought to play down the impact, observers have warned that Washington’s retreat could further squeeze the island’s already narrow international space. US President Donald Trump on January 7 ordered the US to exit 66 international... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3340149/taiwan-faces-possible-beijing-squeeze-after-us-quits-who-and-other-agencies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3340149/taiwan-faces-possible-beijing-squeeze-after-us-quits-who-and-other-agencies?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Kandy Wong,Ralph Jennings,Xinyi Wu Kandy Wong,Ralph Jennings,Xinyi Wu Washington’s secondary sanctions on countries trading with Iran are likely to push up China’s oil import costs in the short term and send a dire warning to Beijing’s policymakers, who analysts said need to urgently find ways to protect the country’s strategic interests abroad. The shock waves arrived on Monday, when US President Donald Trump said a 25 per cent tariff would be imposed immediately on all goods and services imported from any country that “does business” with Iran, linking the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339731/will-trumps-iran-tariffs-force-china-reshape-its-trade-tehran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339731/will-trumps-iran-tariffs-force-china-reshape-its-trade-tehran?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Fears of China choking off exports of critical minerals to Japan amid a deepening political dispute have set off industry alarms and prompted Tokyo to elevate the issue at a G7 gathering of finance ministers this week, despite Beijing’s assurances that civilian trade would be spared. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said last week that she would attend the Group of Seven event in Washington on Monday with the “risk of a rare-earth-supply interruption from China in mind”, the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3339615/japan-firms-seen-stockpiling-rare-earths-tokyo-looks-g7-face-china-controls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3339615/japan-firms-seen-stockpiling-rare-earths-tokyo-looks-g7-face-china-controls?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim China has voiced opposition to the use of force in the Middle East as US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran over escalating protests there. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Monday said Beijing hoped Iran’s government and its people would overcome “current difficulties” and uphold stability in the country. “We always oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs,” she said at a press conference, responding to a question about Trump’s threats to attack... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339609/trump-threatens-iran-strikes-china-denounces-use-force-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339609/trump-threatens-iran-strikes-china-denounces-use-force-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:14:20 +0000 Xinlu Liang Xinlu Liang China said on Friday it would continue to offer its firm support to Venezuela after its ambassador met the country’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez. She described her meeting with Chinese ambassador Lan Hu as “cordial” and thanked Beijing for its condemnation of the abduction of former leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. “We value China’s firm and consistent stance in strongly condemning the serious violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty,” Rodriguez... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339375/china-says-it-still-deeply-committed-venezuela-ambassador-meets-new-leader?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339375/china-says-it-still-deeply-committed-venezuela-ambassador-meets-new-leader?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:30:24 +0000 Dannie Peng Dannie Peng Japan “may already have produced weapons-grade plutonium in secret” and “has the technological and economic capabilities to achieve nuclear armament in a short period of time”, according to an official Chinese report released on Thursday. The report assessing Japan’s nuclear threat cited former US president Joe Biden’s direct message to Chinese President Xi Jinping that Japan had the capacity to have nuclear weapons “virtually overnight”. Biden first disclosed the information in an interview... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3339370/china-cites-bidens-message-xi-japan-could-build-nuclear-weapons-overnight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3339370/china-cites-bidens-message-xi-japan-could-build-nuclear-weapons-overnight?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 11:11:20 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao Washington’s further retreat from multilateral institutions has dealt “a heavy blow” to an already fractured global governance system, presenting both opportunities and challenges for Beijing, according to analysts. Observers said US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from 66 international organisations would have lasting consequences for American leadership around the world, accentuating power gaps in critical areas such as climate and security. On Thursday, Chinese foreign... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339220/china-warns-law-jungle-us-exits-global-bodies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339220/china-warns-law-jungle-us-exits-global-bodies?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Xinlu Liang Xinlu Liang China has criticised the US seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker on the high seas, describing it as a serious breach of international law. US European Command announced via social media that it had seized the tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday due to “violations of US sanctions” on Venezuela. It was swiftly followed by the seizure of a second vessel in the Caribbean. The first ship, formerly the Bella 1, was followed across the Atlantic for two weeks after it tried to evade a US... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339213/china-says-us-seizure-russian-flagged-oil-tanker-severely-violated-international-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339213/china-says-us-seizure-russian-flagged-oil-tanker-severely-violated-international-law?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:46:04 +0000 Mark Magnier Mark Magnier The US captured two oil tankers on the high seas as a senior US official said on Wednesday that Washington expects to take control of future Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely and use the proceeds to help America and rebuild the nation’s beleaguered economy. The seizure of the vessels, including one after a two-week chase, comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration takes an increasingly aggressive approach to foreign energy and security policy. Since Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339092/us-forces-seize-russia-flagged-tanker-linked-venezuela-sanctions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339092/us-forces-seize-russia-flagged-tanker-linked-venezuela-sanctions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:23:20 +0000 Xinlu Liang Xinlu Liang China has denounced the United States for its “blatant interference” in Venezuela, accusing it of violating international law and infringing upon the country’s sovereignty following Donald Trump’s statement that America would take its oil. On Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described the US’ actions in the South American country as breaching international norms. “Venezuela is a sovereign state and has full permanent sovereignty over all its natural resources and economic... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339083/china-blasts-us-blatant-interference-after-donald-trump-claims-venezuelas-oil?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339083/china-blasts-us-blatant-interference-after-donald-trump-claims-venezuelas-oil?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:14:39 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai China is expected to avoid direct confrontation with the United States following the assault on Venezuela, but analysts said Beijing might try to capitalise on the unease created among Latin American countries to deepen economic and diplomatic ties. Beijing had already been expanding its influence in the region through investments and trade, but these interests now face a direct challenge from Washington’s increasing assertiveness, with President Donald Trump saying the US is now “in charge” of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339069/why-china-may-want-avoid-direct-confrontation-us-after-venezuela-raid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339069/why-china-may-want-avoid-direct-confrontation-us-after-venezuela-raid?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi As the new year unfolds, China finds itself grappling with strategic pressures fuelled by two US treaty allies at its doorstep – Japan and South Korea. In the first of a two-part series, Seong Hyeon Choi looks at how historically fraught China-Japan ties might fare as Tokyo bolsters its military posture with record budgets and advanced weaponry. Read the second part here. China and Japan have never fully resolved the decades-old grudges of their wartime history and territorial disputes, but it... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3338769/china-japan-military-tensions-what-lies-ahead-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3338769/china-japan-military-tensions-what-lies-ahead-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 01:00:29 +0000 Ren Yan Ren Yan Recent weeks have seen a sharp decline in Sino-Japanese people-to-people exchanges. All flights on 12 routes from mainland Chinese cities to Japan had been cancelled as of November 24, reportedly due to low demand. According to the Civil Aviation Data Analysis System, some 12 per cent of flights between China and Japan scheduled between November 24 and January 18 have been cancelled. On some routes, more than half have been cancelled. Chinese tourists, Japan’s largest inbound group, had... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3334373/why-chinese-are-cancelling-their-trips-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3334373/why-chinese-are-cancelling-their-trips-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Nov 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei China’s embassy in Japan has advised citizens to put travel plans on hold “in the near term”, citing a spike in unprovoked assaults and discrimination. In a security warning issued on social media, the embassy reported a “significant” surge in requests for help since July. “Recently, several Chinese citizens in Japan have reported that they were verbally abused, assaulted and injured for no reason,” it said. The advisory comes as relations between the two countries have hit their lowest level in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334344/china-warns-against-japan-travel-citing-significant-surge-assaults-ties-spiral?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334344/china-warns-against-japan-travel-citing-significant-surge-assaults-ties-spiral?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:13:27 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai Beijing intensified its pressure on Tokyo and demanded a clear declaration of its stance on the one-China principle as the two countries continued to clash on Wednesday over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan. On Tuesday, the Japanese cabinet adopted a written response to a lawmaker’s question about Takaichi’s remarks, noting that they “do not change the government’s consistent position”. Such statements were “far from enough”, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334263/beijing-demands-clarity-japan-one-china-principle-diplomatic-row-escalates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334263/beijing-demands-clarity-japan-one-china-principle-diplomatic-row-escalates?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:07:13 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has set out plans for an unprecedented rise in defence spending worth US$40 billion over the next eight years, describing it as a historic investment to safeguard the island’s democracy and deter an increasingly assertive Beijing. In an article for The Washington Post published on Wednesday, Lai said his government had committed to “significantly increase” military expenditure to 3.3 per cent of gross domestic product next year, then raise it further to 5... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334251/taiwanese-leader-pledges-us40-billion-rise-defence-spending-defend-democracy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334251/taiwanese-leader-pledges-us40-billion-rise-defence-spending-defend-democracy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:04:08 +0000 Dannie Peng Dannie Peng Current geopolitics might suggest that Western scientists have been in general alignment with the United States in the global race for fusion energy – but some of Europe’s top nuclear physicists are placing their bets on China. Scepticism over US fusion goals and chronic delays at the 33-nation International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in France have created an opening for a new leader in the field, and China appears poised to fill it. Targeted for completion in 2027, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3334057/why-europes-top-nuclear-minds-are-turning-china-deliver-first-fusion-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3334057/why-europes-top-nuclear-minds-are-turning-china-deliver-first-fusion-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 04:00:15 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang Beijing has rejected claims that Chinese authorities detained and harassed an Indian national born in a disputed border region, after the traveller alleged that she was held for more than 18 hours while transiting through Shanghai. On Sunday, a woman who identified herself as Pem Wang Thongdok said on social media that she had been “held” against her will at a Shanghai airport on Friday. She said she had been travelling from London to Japan via Shanghai. According to the post, Chinese border... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334121/china-denies-harassing-indian-woman-born-disputed-border-region-over-invalid-passport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334121/china-denies-harassing-indian-woman-born-disputed-border-region-over-invalid-passport?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:25:32 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing’s steadfast support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, sending a congratulatory letter on the eve of the embattled leader’s birthday that pledged continued backing for the South American country’s sovereignty amid mounting regional tensions and US military pressure. In the message, released by Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry over the weekend, Xi described China and Venezuela as “intimate friends, dear brothers and good partners”. He vowed to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334007/xi-jinping-pledges-support-nicolas-maduro-and-criticises-us-actions-venezuela?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3334007/xi-jinping-pledges-support-nicolas-maduro-and-criticises-us-actions-venezuela?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:05:26 +0000 Sylvie Zhuang Sylvie Zhuang Beijing has blasted Japan’s missile deployment on an island only 110km (68 miles) away from Taiwan as “extremely dangerous”, saying it stokes regional tensions and military confrontation amid deteriorating ties between the two Asian powers. But Shinjiro Koizumi, Tokyo’s defence minister, believed the deployment on Yonaguni Island would “reduce the likelihood of any armed attack on Japan itself”, a Japanese defence ministry readout stated on Sunday. During an inspection visit to Yonaguni on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3333963/beijing-blasts-japans-extremely-dangerous-missile-deployment-near-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3333963/beijing-blasts-japans-extremely-dangerous-missile-deployment-near-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:26:07 +0000 Park Chan-kyong Park Chan-kyong South Korea is watching with mounting alarm as tensions between China and Japan escalate over the Taiwan Strait, a development that threatens to test Seoul’s pragmatic diplomacy and its balancing act between Beijing and Washington, observers warn. The dispute is unfolding just as Seoul has worked to stabilise long-strained relations with both regional powers, raising fears that renewed rivalry could force South Korea into unwelcome geopolitical crossfire, they add. Analysts say the flare-up is... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333739/china-japan-row-escalates-south-korea-fears-being-dragged-unwanted-flare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333739/china-japan-row-escalates-south-korea-fears-being-dragged-unwanted-flare?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Nov 2025 02:30:16 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday the country had been “consistent” over Taiwan but insisted she wanted better relations with Beijing. Beijing has insisted she must retract her recent comments that Japanese troops might intervene in a conflict over the island because it could be a “survival-threatening situation”. But when asked if she would do so, she did not answer directly but said Tokyo would “make a comprehensive judgment based on all available information regarding a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333718/japanese-leader-says-she-wants-better-ties-china-doesnt-withdraw-taiwan-comments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333718/japanese-leader-says-she-wants-better-ties-china-doesnt-withdraw-taiwan-comments?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:00:16 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai Footage of a Japanese diplomat appearing to bow to his Chinese counterpart following their talks in Beijing on Tuesday has prompted a complaint from Tokyo that it was not informed about media filming after the meeting. It comes amid a diplomatic feud between Beijing and Tokyo over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Tuesday’s meeting between China’s Asian affairs chief Liu Jinsong and his Japanese counterpart Masaaki Kanai ended without consensus. The video of Liu and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333530/tokyo-complains-over-video-diplomat-appearing-bow-chinese-official?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333530/tokyo-complains-over-video-diplomat-appearing-bow-chinese-official?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:00:14 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai Fans of Japanese singer-songwriter Kokia were disappointed on Wednesday night when a “last-minute technical issue” forced the cancellation of a concert in Beijing. The organiser of the event apologised on Thursday for one of a series of Japanese cultural events that have been cancelled or delayed since China and Japan became embroiled in a diplomatic row this month. “This should have been announced earlier! People waited for an hour and a half, and many came from out of town,” one fan said,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333439/young-chinese-fans-fear-losing-access-japanese-pop-culture-amid-diplomatic-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333439/young-chinese-fans-fear-losing-access-japanese-pop-culture-amid-diplomatic-row?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:04:21 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A Japanese cabinet minister has reiterated his country’s claim to Liancourt Rocks, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, after Seoul protested against a new museum wing promoting Tokyo’s sovereignty over the islets. “Under international law, Takeshima is clearly an inherent part of Japan’s territory,” Japan’s Minister in Charge of Territorial Issues Jiro Akama said at a press conference on Tuesday, according to Kyodo news agency. “We will work to strengthen the dissemination of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333381/japans-renewed-sovereignty-push-over-disputed-liancourt-rocks-irks-south-korea-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333381/japans-renewed-sovereignty-push-over-disputed-liancourt-rocks-irks-south-korea-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:22:06 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei China’s official military newspaper has accused the United States of “gunboat diplomacy” amid rising tensions with Venezuela. The Pentagon announced on Sunday that a strike group including the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, had been deployed to the Caribbean, carrying thousands of service personnel and dozens of aircraft. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had not ruled out sending troops to Venezuela, while also expressing a willingness to engage in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333282/chinas-military-mouthpiece-hits-out-us-gunboat-diplomacy-venezuela-tensions-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333282/chinas-military-mouthpiece-hits-out-us-gunboat-diplomacy-venezuela-tensions-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:00:28 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for a high-level security meeting with the United States, China and regional partners, arguing that recent US military deployments and strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific are escalating tensions in the region. Joining other regional voices condemning the operations, he stressed that Latin America and the Caribbean should be treated with respect and repeated his proposal for talks in Pearl Harbour, noting that he... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3333166/colombia-pushes-talks-include-china-over-us-military-build-near-venezuela?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3333166/colombia-pushes-talks-include-china-over-us-military-build-near-venezuela?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:06:18 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao Beijing has officially resumed group tours to Canada, just days after the first meeting between their top leaders in eight years, signalling a further thaw in bilateral ties after years of tensions. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the announcement on Monday, ending a prolonged Covid-19-era freeze that left Canada off China’s outbound tour lists, even as group travel resumed to more than 130 other destinations. Mao said the decision was taken after “comprehensive” consideration... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331364/china-gives-green-light-group-travel-canada-after-xi-carney-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331364/china-gives-green-light-group-travel-canada-after-xi-carney-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:00:09 +0000 Fan Chen,Khushboo Razdan Fan Chen,Khushboo Razdan China’s embassy in the United States has warned against a new round of “media warfare” as Washington moves to cut the duration of visas for Chinese journalists. “We do not want to see a new round of ‘media warfare’ between the two countries and urge the US to refrain from taking this erroneous move,” embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said on Tuesday. As part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, the US Department of Homeland Security proposed in August to cap the stay of mainland Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325032/china-says-shorter-us-visa-mainland-journalists-risks-media-warfare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325032/china-says-shorter-us-visa-mainland-journalists-risks-media-warfare?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:00:18 +0000 Zhao Ziwen Zhao Ziwen US President Donald Trump said he would allow 600,000 Chinese students to enter the United States which is double the current figure, and reiterated that President Xi Jinping had invited him “to come to China”. The significant shift in tone from the US government came soon after the Chinese embassy in the US advised students to “be cautious when choosing” Houston as their destination when entering America, saying some students have been “unjustifiably questioned and harassed” recently. On... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323156/trump-says-he-will-allow-600000-chinese-study-us-double-current-number?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323156/trump-says-he-will-allow-600000-chinese-study-us-double-current-number?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 05:20:50 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has said that preparations for the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Saudi Arabia are “on schedule” after South Korea and China emerged as potential replacements. Saudi Arabia is supposed to host the next edition of the regional winter competition in a move derided by environmental groups. The OCA in 2022 unanimously approved the desert kingdom’s bid to stage the Games at its US$500 billion megacity Neom, part of Saudi Arabia’s splurge on major sporting events,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323075/saudi-arabias-preparations-winter-games-schedule-olympic-council-asia-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323075/saudi-arabias-preparations-winter-games-schedule-olympic-council-asia-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:00:08 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen Beijing has lashed out at the United States for questioning Chinese students at the border, accusing it of discrimination and of taking them into “small, dark rooms” for over 70 hours. Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, said on Friday that these actions “seriously infringed upon the legitimate and legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens, severely obstructed normal personnel exchanges between the two countries, and seriously undermined the atmosphere for people-to-people and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3322866/beijing-accuses-us-holding-chinese-students-small-dark-rooms-over-70-hours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3322866/beijing-accuses-us-holding-chinese-students-small-dark-rooms-over-70-hours?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:00:09 +0000 Orange Wang,Laura Zhou Orange Wang,Laura Zhou China is likely to face “increasing” geopolitical pressure if the US extends Nato-style security protection to Ukraine to end its war with Russia following the Trump-Putin summit, Chinese analysts have warned. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed at the meeting in Alaska to allow the United States and Europe to “effectively offer Article 5-like” security guarantees to Kyiv as part of a potential peace deal, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who attended the high-stakes... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3322254/china-face-increasing-pressure-if-us-gives-ukraine-nato-style-protection-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3322254/china-face-increasing-pressure-if-us-gives-ukraine-nato-style-protection-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:00:07 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen Beijing has severed ties with Czech President Petr Pavel following his private visit to congratulate the 14th Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday last month. The meeting on July 27 “seriously contravenes the political commitment made by the Czech Republic government to the Chinese government, and harms China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian. He added that China “strongly deplores and firmly opposes” the meeting and that Beijing had lodged... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321694/china-cuts-ties-czech-president-over-petr-pavels-birthday-visit-dalai-lama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321694/china-cuts-ties-czech-president-over-petr-pavels-birthday-visit-dalai-lama?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:17:20 +0000 Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa The China-EU summit on July 24 confirmed what Beijing and Washington have long surmised: Europe has sidelined itself from great-power competition. After five decades of diplomacy, Brussels and Beijing have never been further apart, exactly as Trump’s wedge intended. Yet the bridge to China wasn’t demolished from abroad. Europe dismantled it, piece by piece, through its own incoherence. Brussels’ only meaningful gain was a marginal agreement on rare earths. The European Union’s other concerns,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3319859/if-china-no-longer-takes-europe-seriously-brussels-has-itself-blame?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3319859/if-china-no-longer-takes-europe-seriously-brussels-has-itself-blame?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Sophie Wushuang Yi Sophie Wushuang Yi The Israel-Iran war, from June 13 to June 24, marks a watershed moment in modern conflict. Precision-strike technology, multi-domain operations and social media diplomacy converged in the direct combat between nuclear-capable adversaries. The confrontation has fundamentally altered strategic deterrence frameworks and validated new paradigms of 21st-century warfare. The conflict began when Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations and key personnel. Tehran soon retaliated.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3318413/how-israel-iran-conflict-changed-scope-21st-century-warfare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3318413/how-israel-iran-conflict-changed-scope-21st-century-warfare?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jul 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Akhmad Hanan Akhmad Hanan This month’s Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marked a pivotal moment that reflects shifting global power dynamics. By consolidating into a stronger multipolar bloc, emerging economies are effectively challenging the long-standing dominance of a Western-led order. Brics released a joint statement, criticising unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures that disrupt global trade. The statement called for reforms of institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3317503/trump-targets-brics-indonesias-autonomy-hangs-balance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3317503/trump-targets-brics-indonesias-autonomy-hangs-balance?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jul 2025 21:30:07 +0000