-
TOPIC

Diplomacy

Diplomacy
Latest news, features and analysis on global diplomatic relations, with a focus on China’s international ties – especially with the US, its Asian neighbours and the European Union.
Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

videocam
40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

videocam
40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 29. Photo: AP
Britain

Editorial | Starmer’s visit to China highlights benefits of dialogue over confrontation

While several deals were struck on the UK prime minister’s trip, the most important outcome is the willingness of the leaders of both countries to work constructively together.

US-China relations

How will China respond as US expands foreign ship seizures?

videocam
US-China relations

WTO faults US in dispute brought by China over clean energy subsidies

videocam
China-UK relations

China lifted sanctions on British lawmakers after Starmer–Xi meeting, UK says

Prime minister says Beijing has removed 2021 curbs on MPs as part of a wider reset, though sanctions on others appear to remain.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses Chinese and UK business delegations at a reception in Shanghai on Friday. Photo: AFP
Japan

Video | South Korea and Japan’s defence ministers face off in table tennis

The defence ministers of Japan and South Korea agreed to strengthen cooperation with the United States amid growing security risks, particularly with North Korea.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel offers ‘limited’ Rafah reopening after nearly 2-year Gaza border shutdown

The reopening is part of phase two of the US ceasefire. Previously, it was Gaza’s main crossing for people and trade with Egypt.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan

Japan and South Korea bolster defence ties amid regional tensions

Defence chiefs agree to joint AI, space, and drone development, aiming to stabilise the region against growing missile threats.

Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (right) and South Korea’s Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back shake hands before their meeting at Japan’s Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AFP
United States

Opinion | China’s rejection of Darwinian geopolitics is rooted in its history

Davos signalled the collapse of the post-war order but not what will replace it. China can play a role in preventing a descent into anarchy.

videocam
India

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

The adverse impact of pollution could lead to significant health and economic costs for India if left unchecked.

videocam
Middle East

US envoys to Israel blocked ‘apocalyptic’ Gaza warning in 2024: report

Leaked reports reveal US diplomats killed internal memos detailing dead bodies and famine in Gaza to avoid a ‘lack of balance’ in policy.

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in April 2024. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

Trump slams allies’ China ties, top generals fall, cross-strait talks

This week: US president says ‘very dangerous’ for UK to boost China ties, two top Chinese generals face corruption probes, and gold surges. Next week: Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomintang resume forum after 10 years, Uruguay president visits China, Shanghai opens skies to drones and more.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the premiere of Melania. (Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa)
United States

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

Middle powers are pivoting to Beijing and hedging with new partners as China’s economic displacement of the US rapidly expands.

videocam
Cambodia

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

The USS Cincinnati is the first US warship to dock at Ream Naval Base since its China-funded expansion was completed in April last year.

videocam
US-China relations

Senate bills give clear message to Trump to back Taiwan as Xi meeting approaches

Thursday’s bills send signal to White House that US partnership with Taipei must not be forgotten as Trump threatens Cuba tariffs.

videocam
13
US President Donald Trump was reminded that Taipei still merits support after a US congressional panel advanced four Taiwan-related bills on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela approves oil industry overhaul as US eases some sanctions

Venezuela’s reform will enable additional foreign investment in the energy sector, a move expected to benefit the United States in particular.

7
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez holds up a copy of the new law. Photo: AP
Canada

Canada’s Eby slams separatists seeking US help: the word for that is ‘treason’

The British Columbia premier was responding to a report that Trump officials had meetings with an Alberta pro-independence group.

videocam
9
Greenland

Greenland mayor issues warning after US flag stunt

German comedian Maxi Schafroth attempted to hoist the flag in Nuuk, then claimed to be a US official when confronted by angry locals.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-Venezuela conflict

Trump says he’s reopening Venezuelan airspace and Americans can visit soon

Even as the president suggested US citizens would be safe in Venezuela, the State Department kept in place its highest-level travel advisory.

videocam
A passenger stands with his luggage at an airport near San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 3 after airspace was closed due to US strikes on Venezuela. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Trump says Putin agreed to not fire on Ukraine’s freezing capital for a week

Amid record-setting cold, the US president says he personally requested Russia halt energy strikes as peace talks prepare to resume.

China-UK relations

Britain’s Starmer hopes gift of Man United match ball scores with China’s Xi

Reviving a familiar playbook, the British leader uses football to seek diplomatic headway during an official visit to Beijing.

videocam
10
US-China relations

Do Americans think China will overtake the US? The results are in

Washington think tank takes the public’s temperature on global power and influence.

videocam
89
China’s biggest advantage over the US is technology, according to a poll of Americans. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s power politics is paving the way to a G2 world order with China

Trump’s actions signal an openness to G2, give China leverage with US allies and open the door for other powers to use coercive force.

videocam
4
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Bangladesh

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

videocam
Asean

How far can Asean engage Myanmar without legitimising military rule?

The bloc’s foreign ministers meet in Cebu amid concerns that diplomacy could slide into tacit acceptance of military rule.

videocam
Xi Jinping

Video | UK PM starts China state visit ahead of Xi meeting

Trade and the economy to top British prime minister’s agenda as London navigates ‘re-engagement’ with Beijing, analysts say.

wrteyrje5t43
01:41
US-China relations

Rise in Republicans wary of China as bipartisan unity declines, new survey says

Report found two-thirds of Republicans now likely to view Beijing as a threat to US, compared with 44 per cent of Democrats and Independents.

videocam
9
A new report that highlights deepening political polarisation in the United States towards China attributes much of it to US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime. Photo: AP
Middle East

Trump warns Iran of ‘far worse’ attack as US warships approach

US president issues ultimatum for a nuclear deal as Iran vows to resist any American attack.

7
US-Venezuela conflict

US’ Rubio says China profited from Venezuela’s collapse through cut-price oil

US secretary tells senators Beijing received discounted crude via opaque debt deals, saying Maduro’s removal was key to curbing influence.

videocam
53
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement