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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

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Henry Wong

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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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

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

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

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
A pedestrian passes a billboard for the US-Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in Iran

China’s diplomacy, backed by leverage and guarantees of assistance, could provide a template for contemporary conflicts where a single side cannot carry the day.

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China travel

2,700 China-Japan flights axed in March as rift between Asian powers deepens

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Singapore

Singapore’s Balakrishnan warns Hormuz just a ‘dry run’ if US, China clash

China-Africa relations

Why China is backing nuclear fuel rod production in Namibia

On week-long trip to China, Namibian minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi pitches investment case to business leaders in Shenzhen.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets his Namibian counterpart, International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, in Beijing on April 17. Photo: Xinhua
Myanmar

Why Myanmar’s token amnesties are ‘no cause for celebration’

Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is now due for release in 2043 – provided she survives to the age of 97.

US, Israel war on Iran

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

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Education in Hong Kong

Opinion | It’s time to unlock Hong Kong’s international relations potential

Globally connected and intellectually vibrant, the city can offer cutting-edge research and lead diplomatic debates of global importance.

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Hong Kong’s Central district on January 26. Hong Kong is often described as a “superconnector” between China and the world. Yet in the study and practice of international relations, the city remains intellectually vibrant but structurally peripheral. Photo: Jelly Tse
New Zealand

New Zealand minister under fire for ‘butter chicken tsunami’ remarks

A free-trade agreement, to be signed next week, could see more than 20,000 Indian migrants entering New Zealand, officials say.

Canada

Canadian who was detained by China warns against Carney’s EV deal

Ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig was imprisoned for three years after Canada arrested Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request.

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Israel

Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon

Both the soldier who smashed the sculpture with a sledgehammer and the one who photographed the act will receive military detention.

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An Israeli soldier damages the head of a statue of Jesus, in Debel, Lebanon. Photo: Social media via Reuters
US-China relations

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Strait blockade stays as US seizes vessel said to be carrying ammunition for Iran; Beijing denies role and talks face fresh doubt.

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Cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

Polish firm to replace state-backed Chinese giant as Brussels uses regulatory powers to curb what it says is market-distorting foreign aid.

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Japan

Japan’s Takaichi sends Yasukuni shrine offering, South Korea expresses ‘regret’

Seoul urges Japan’s leaders to ‘face history squarely’ and show through action ‘a sincere remorse for its past’.

Middle East

Opinion | China’s diplomacy succeeds even if it doesn’t bring Middle East peace

From Beijing’s perspective, diplomacy is remarkably effective in advancing China’s regional interests and differentiating it from the US.

On July 23, 2024, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts the signing of the Beijing Declaration among Palestinian factions including Fatah and Hamas at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo: Pool via AP
Asean

Why Indonesia is ceding its role as Asean’s natural leader to Singapore

For decades, Indonesia’s standing was a given. A new survey suggests the region’s opinion leaders are no longer so sure.

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto (right) shakes hands with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after a press conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta in November 2024. Photo: AFP
South Korea

After Xi, South Korea’s Lee brings Modi into ‘selfie diplomacy’ frame

Lee’s Samsung selfie with the Indian leader also highlights tech pride, contrasting with his earlier Xiaomi photo taken with the Chinese president.

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Singapore

Strait talking: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unite to secure safe shipping

Together, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore form the world’s busiest corridor for crude oil and petroleum liquids by volume.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran warn they are ready for war as clock ticks on ceasefire end

As talks remain in limbo, a key Iranian figure says the Islamic Republic is ready to ‘show new cards on the battlefield’.

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A national flag of Iran hangs from a building in Tehran that was damaged by US-Israeli attacks. Photo: Xinhua
Middle East

Defying Hezbollah, Lebanon’s president seeks end to hostilities with Israel talks

Ambassadors are set to meet in Washington on Thursday as President Aoun hopes to ‘save Lebanon’ amid a fragile ceasefire.

US-China trade war

US firms dash to recover tariffs paid on Chinese imports as refund system starts

Companies scramble on Monday to recover illegally collected tariffs from US government as thousands rush to file claims.

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Asean

Opinion | How new US-Indonesia defence pact sharpens China’s ‘Malacca dilemma’

The US is investing in the systems, skills and relationships that would matter if access to the Strait of Malacca ever came under pressure.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth hosts an honour cordon for Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon, in Washington, US, on April 13. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

US must make more bombers, bring China in on nuclear arms talks: senator

Republican Deb Fischer, whose subcommittee oversees US nuclear arsenal, insisted Beijing must be part of any future treaty negotiations.

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DF-5C nuclear missiles are displayed during a military parade in Beijing in September 2025. Photo: Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba confirms rare Havana talks with US officials

A senior diplomat describes ‘professional’ meetings as Havana seeks an end to the US oil blockade.

European Union

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Rumen Radev has criticised military support for Ukraine’s war effort and the European Union’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.

China-EU relations

Opinion | Why Spain’s outreach to China offers a viable model for Europe

De-risking while also deepening ties beyond the transactional shows that interdependence and strategic autonomy aren’t mutually exclusive.

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (centre) speaks with students at Tsinghua University in Beijing on April 13. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

China threatens EU firms over cybersecurity plans targeting Chinese companies

China’s commerce ministry warns broad retaliation is on the table if firms such as Huawei and ZTE are penalised by proposed law.

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Beijing has submitted to the EU on its cybersecurity regulations with a threat of retaliatory probes and the promise of litigation if Chinese firms are targeted. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

‘Intelligence leak’ claims expose trust gap in US-South Korea ties

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young rejects accusations he leaked sensitive information about North Korea’s Kusong nuclear facility.

China-India relations

India and China wall off border rows to focus on trade and security

Analysts say the two sides are returning to a state of ‘managed coexistence’ after their Shanghai Cooperation Organisation talks.

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