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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
US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Allies tepid on joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ as countries study invites

Some leaders sign on to the Trump-chaired body, but initial reaction from two key allies, France and Canada, was lukewarm.

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Canada

Canada considers sending small contingent of troops to Greenland

US-China relations

How narrowing China-US gap could reshape global power play by 2035

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Greenland

Punch back or punching bag? EU weighs response to Trump Greenland tariff threat

Bloc has been reluctant to act on his various punitive moves, but many now believe that a threshold has been crossed, analysts say.

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Several national leaders in Europe have come out against US President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Photo: Reuters
China-Canada relations

Opinion | As China and Canada reset ties, they must strike while the iron is hot

After the Canadian prime minister’s visit to Beijing, both sides have a window to deepen trade and cooperate on global governance.

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Mainland China

China bids to host High Seas Treaty secretariat, even as US exits UN bodies

China puts forward Xiamen as potential future home of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction secretariat as treaty comes into force.

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Donald Trump

‘World is not secure’: Trump abandons ‘peace’ after Nobel snub, tells Norway PM

Trump says ‘World is not secure’ without US control of Greenland, as US president rejects peace-focused diplomacy in a blunt message to Norwegian PM.

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US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting of the Detroit Economic Club on January 13. Photo: TNS
Donald Trump

Letters | Trump’s multilateral retreat gives China mixed opportunities

Readers discuss the US’ pull-out from 66 international organisations, Trumponomics, and Hong Kong’s appeal as a financial centre.

China-Canada relations

Editorial | China-Canada turnaround in ties marks new spirit of global cooperation

The deal struck during the Canadian prime minister’s visit to Beijing is a key part of China’s charm offensive targeting Western allies facing an aggressive US.

US-Venezuela conflict

Opinion | Trump’s Venezuela raid a rude awakening for Russia and China

The US abduction of Venezuela’s president showed Russia could do little to protect its ally while China’s economic ties were put at risk.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 7, 2025. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Ukraine war

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

Negotiators move from Florida to Switzerland for talks as Ukrainians reel from Russian attacks that have damaged energy infrastructure.

People enter a tent provided by emergency services for Kyiv residents whose homes have been left without heating during sub-zero temperatures. Photo: Reuters
Greenland

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

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Donald Trump

A ‘Trump UN’ with US$1 billion entry? Nations cautious on Board of Peace plan

US president invites 60 nations to join his ‘Board of Peace’, with permanent membership available for states that pay US$1 billion.

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Middle East

Yemen’s leaders meet in Saudi Arabia after defeat of UAE-backed group

Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of smuggling an opposing leader to Abu Dhabi through Somalia, after the Saudi-backed government charged him with treason.

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council member Abdulrahman al-Mahrami along with other members from Yemen stand for Yemen’s national anthem during the Southern Consultative Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Greenland

Opinion | Greenland’s stress test of Nato will ripple beyond the Arctic

Greenland is a test case for how alliances handle sovereignty and trust amid great power rivalry, with important consequences for Asia.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
United Nations

Asian Angle | China has a worthy blueprint to improve the UN. Why is the West ignoring it?

China’s Global Governance Initiative seeks to end ‘might is right’, but the West insists on viewing it through a dusty Cold War lens.

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Kim Jong-un

Video | Why has Pyongyang ignored Seoul’s overtures?

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has tried but failed so far to re-engage with the North after years of heightened tension.

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Donald Trump

Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace

Critics are worried that the US president is trying to build an alternative – or rival – to the United Nations.

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US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

Israel objects to composition of Trump-led Gaza ‘board of peace’

PM Netanyahu says the unveiling of the board was not coordinated with Israel and contradicted his government’s policy.

Donald Trump

Trump hits 8 Nato allies with tariffs to force Greenland sale

The duties will start at 10 per cent in February and go up to 25 per cent in June if no deal is reached for the US to buy the island.

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United States

Before Maduro’s capture in Venezuela, US spoke with hardline interior minister

Some politicians in Washington have questioned why the US did not grab Diosdado Cabello during its operation to seize Maduro.

Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello attends a ceremony last week honouring military and security personnel who died during a US raid to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Thousands in Denmark join anti-Trump ‘Hands off Greenland’ protests

A US congressional delegation in Copenhagen says there is no security threat to Greenland to justify Trump’s demand to control the territory.

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People protesting in Copenhagen on Saturday to show solidarity with Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Photo: EPA
European Union

South American bloc and EU sign long-awaited FTA amid Trump’s tariffs

The deal creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas after 25 years of tricky negotiations.

Asean

Visa suspension tests US priorities in Southeast Asia

The move reflects an ‘America first’ policy approach and treats certain allies in the region as ‘strategically insignificant’, analysts say.

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Brics

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

The first naval exercises under the ‘Brics plus’ banner saw Brazil, Egypt, China, Russia and South Africa take part. India did not.

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A Russian corvette ship is seen near Cape Town, South Africa, on January 9. The Will For Peace exercise brings together navies from Brics-plus countries. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Trump names Blair, Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, envoy Steve Witkoff and World Bank President Ajay Banga will also be on the panel chaired by the US leader.

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Former British prime minister Tony Blair speaks at the International Bali Airshow in Indonesia in September 2024. Photo: Reuters
US-China trade war

Trump shrugs off concerns over Canada-China EV deal, calls it a ‘good thing’

Despite Trump’s support for landmark accord, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Ottawa may regret its decision ‘in the long run’.

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US-Venezuela conflict

Machado says Venezuela will be free with support of Trump

The opposition leader earlier presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump in a bid to win over the US president.

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