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Diplomacy
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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.
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Open Questions series
Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China
12 Jan 2026 - 10:06AM
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Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky
20 Oct 2025 - 11:18AM
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Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish
5 Oct 2025 - 8:13AM
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80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter
11 Aug 2025 - 9:13AM
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‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended
4 Aug 2025 - 11:00AM
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Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
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Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China
12 Jan 2026 - 10:06AM
videocam
15
Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky
20 Oct 2025 - 11:18AM
7
Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish
5 Oct 2025 - 8:13AM
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5
80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter
11 Aug 2025 - 9:13AM
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18
‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended
4 Aug 2025 - 11:00AM
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93
Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
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40
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
China-Middle East relations
Opinion
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How China-Gulf ties can turn energy vulnerability into sustainability
Hormuz tensions are a reminder to start building a better, more sustainable energy order before the next crisis hits; Hong Kong can help.
3 hours ago
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2026 Trump-Xi summit
Trump dismisses China friction over Iran war, touts Xi ties before summit
2 hours ago
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Donald Trump
Trump renews attacks on Pope Leo just days before Rubio’s Vatican trip
5 hours ago
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China's military weapons
Will new Saudi-Pakistan defence pact give Chinese arms risk-free exposure?
Islamabad’s elevated stature in Middle East security could make it ‘the operational face of Chinese defence systems’ via regional deployment.
5 May 2026 - 11:38PM
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Japan
Japan, Philippines to fast-track transfer of navy destroyers
The two countries’ shared grievances over Chinese territorial claims have seen them draw increasingly close in recent years.
5 May 2026 - 9:38PM
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China-Japan relations
Takaichi signs Australia deals to boost Japan’s energy security
Japan’s prime minister penned agreements with her Australian counterpart as the two nations seek to pare reliance on Chinese rare earths and safeguard energy supplies amid the war in Iran.
5 May 2026 - 5:00PM
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Thailand
Thailand scraps 25-year-old agreement with Cambodia on energy exploration
Cambodia will now initiate a compulsory conciliation mechanism under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
5 May 2026 - 4:38PM
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South Korea
South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire
A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.
5 May 2026 - 5:11PM
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Japan
Japan offers Indonesia and the Philippines lethal muscle to counter China
Frigate and submarine sales are reportedly on the cards as Tokyo’s defence minister tours the region.
5 May 2026 - 12:29PM
China-Australia relations
China’s fight for Darwin Port could help fragile Sino-Australian relations
Landbridge Group’s legal claim over the port could take several years to resolve, analysts said, providing more time for dialogue.
5 May 2026 - 9:00AM
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European Union
UK eyes joining EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine
Discussions at a summit in Armenia are a further sign of deepening European defence ties under rising US pressure.
5 May 2026 - 12:11PM
China-Latin America relations
China consul in Tijuana warns against protectionism as USMCA review nears
Fu Xinrong pitched Beijing’s model of shared modernisation to Mexican business leaders, weeks before a contentious USMCA review.
5 May 2026 - 6:37AM
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US, Israel war on Iran
US’ Bessent urges China to help open Strait of Hormuz
Treasury chief says Beijing’s energy buys fund ‘top sponsor of terrorism’, calls for action as US asserts ‘absolute control’ over waterway.
5 May 2026 - 10:33AM
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2026 Trump-Xi summit
Iran war could give Xi the upper hand in meeting with Trump: US experts
The conflict is likely to give Beijing an edge in discussions on hi-tech supply chains and Taiwan, analysts argue.
5 May 2026 - 1:37AM
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Mainland China
Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads
From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.
4 May 2026 - 10:30PM
Espionage
Austria expels 3 Russian diplomats over signals spying
Vienna, home to a large diplomatic presence, has long had a reputation as a den of spies.
4 May 2026 - 8:01PM
North Korea
Pitch perfect diplomacy? North Korean footballers head to South Korea
The visit by Naegohyang Women’s FC to South Korea’s Suwon for a competitive match does not signal a thaw in inter-Korea ties, analysts say.
4 May 2026 - 7:05PM
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Singapore
Singapore, New Zealand ink world first deal to secure essential supplies
Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products.
4 May 2026 - 3:00PM
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US-China relations
Opinion
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China’s Manus block a show of strength ahead of Xi-Trump summit
Beijing’s manoeuvring highlights its resolve and suggests it feels it has the upper hand in negotiations ahead of Trump’s visit.
4 May 2026 - 5:30AM
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Germany
German chancellor plays down row with Trump in fallout from US troop withdrawal
Friedrich Merz denies his criticism of the Iran war triggered Trump to announce drawdown of 5,000 soldiers.
4 May 2026 - 2:28PM
Japan
Takaichi bound for Australia to strengthen economic, security ties
The Prime Minister’s three-day visit will focus on defence, critical minerals and broader economic security as Japan takes a more assertive military stance.
3 May 2026 - 6:11PM
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China-India relations
Why does China portray India as an elephant? Decoding politics of animal analogy
‘Diplomatic language is never neutral. When you adopt someone else’s framing, you partially legitimise their world view’: former ambassador.
3 May 2026 - 12:00PM
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US-China relations
Letters
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China’s stance on Iran war has strengthened its global position
Readers discuss how the world perceives China, and the work to be done to prevent rape.
3 May 2026 - 11:30AM
Japan
Asian Angle
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Why Japan-China ties can benefit from promoting people-to-people exchanges
Filling the information gap through direct contact between the two peoples can help improve both countries’ public images and ease tensions.
3 May 2026 - 9:00AM
US, Israel war on Iran
Trump says he’s reviewing new Iran proposal to end war
The president also has floated a new plan to reopen the Hormuz, after the US warned shipping firms against paying Iran for safe passage.
3 May 2026 - 7:09AM
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Germany
Trump-EU rift spurs Germany to boost military, add 75,000 soldiers
The German defence minister said the US withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany was expected, spurring Europe to improve its defences against Russia.
2 May 2026 - 5:19PM
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Saudi Arabia
UAE’s Opec exit signals aim to accelerate foreign policy diversification
Iran’s attacks on Gulf states have forced Abu Dhabi to rethink its place within the Saudi Arabia-led diplomatic architecture, analysts say.
2 May 2026 - 5:00PM
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Japan
Common threats help Japan, South Korea overlook historical rows
Both appear willing to put past differences aside as they confront an assertive China, North Korea and an unpredictable US.
2 May 2026 - 3:58PM
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