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Guo Jiakun

(郭嘉昆)

Guo Jiakun
郭嘉昆
Guo Jiakun: A seasoned Chinese diplomat, he assumed the role of Foreign Ministry Spokesman in January 2025, bringing over two decades of experience in foreign service.
Cruise missiles, flag of Japan in background - defense concept - 3D illustration. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Japan

Video | Japan scraps long-standing arms export rules

Tokyo approves plan to scrap restrictions, prompting warnings that this could undermine the country’s pacifist constitution.

Pacific nations

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

China-Japan relations

China warns of ‘moves towards militarism’ after Japan eases arms export rules

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US, Israel war on Iran

What the US-Iran ‘fight-talk’ dynamic means before their ceasefire ends

Meanwhile, China expresses ‘concern’ over America’s interception of Iranian-flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Oman.

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A police officer gestures to a vehicle at a check post near Faisal Masjid on Sunday, as Pakistan tries to convene a tentative second phase of peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. Photo: Reuters
China-New Zealand relations

China complains of ‘harassment’ from New Zealand aerial patrols near coastline

Beijing said the plane had been operating over the Yellow and East China Seas and urged Wellington not to put civilian aircraft in danger.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz blockade: shipping body slams transit fees as 20,000 seafarers stranded

A ‘retrograde’ toll proposal by Tehran risks similar charges in other vital waterways, warns global association for merchant shipowners and operators.

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US-China relations

China hits out at ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ US blockade of Iran’s ports

Beijing says American move will ‘inflame tensions, escalate the situation and undermine an already fragile ceasefire’.

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A cargo ship is pictured off the UAE city of Fujairah, in the Strait of Hormuz, in February. The US has begun a naval blockade of all Iranian ports after talks with Tehran collapsed. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

China says open Hormuz key to global interests as Trump blockade looms

Beijing’s foreign ministry denies that China plans to provide weapons and military tech to Iran.

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Taiwan

Swing and a miss? Taiwan’s premier under fire over baseball trip to Tokyo

Beijing has lashed out over Cho Jung-tai’s one-day visit to Japan, which was described as a ‘private itinerary’ to support the island’s team.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Beijing warns US over Jimmy Lai and Taiwan arms sales ahead of Trump visit

Foreign ministry urges US to ‘safeguard the stable development of China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait’.

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The White House says US President Donald Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2. Photo: TNS
US, Israel war on Iran

It’s been 2 weeks since war broke out in Iran. Is there an end in sight?

Chinese analysts weigh the US president’s shifting signals and global oil risks, reject talk of any benefit to China.

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Plumes of smoke billow into the sky following air strikes near Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran on March 7. Photo: AFP
Iran

Why China sees stability in hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise to lead Iran

Continuity over change seen in cleric whom analysts anticipate could double down on policies against the US and Israel.

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China-North Korea relations

China-North Korea rail link restored as neighbours try to get ties back on track

Restoring tourist travel has been seen as a litmus test of Pyongyang’s willingness to rebuild relations with its biggest trading partner.

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Germany

German court jails US military contractor in China spy case

The defendant, partially named as Martin D. was sentenced for offering US military secrets to China, highlighting espionage concerns amid global tensions.

A US Air Force officer salutes the flag at Camp Simba, Manda Bay, Kenya, in 2019. Photo: US Air Force/AP
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.

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

China executes 11 core members of Myanmar-based telecoms fraud ring

They include members of the Ming family crime syndicate found guilty of murder, illegal detention, running casinos and other offences.

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China-Latin America relations

Xi to meet Orsi in first Latin America-China visit since US capture of Maduro

State visit from February 1 to 7 aims to promote commercial ties with Beijing despite tension in region after US operation in Venezuela.

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World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

China to ‘quietly track’ Greenland developments amid Arctic ambitions: analysts

Beijing to focus on maintaining its ‘constructive relationship with US’ and does not need to ‘disrupt that over Greenland’, say experts.

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US-China trade war

Chips, soybeans, tariffs: what’s on tap for US-China talks before a Trump visit?

Analysts expect any pre-summit talks to focus on deliverables such as easing semiconductor curbs and boosting agricultural sales, setting the stage for Xi and Trump.

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US-China relations

China confirms invite to Trump’s Gaza ‘peace board’ – won’t say if it will join

US President Donald Trump has invited dozens of leaders to join the body, but is reportedly demanding US$1 billion for permanent membership.

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The board was originally proposed as a way of helping Gaza to rebuild, but it appears that its remit may be expanded. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Taipei hails US 15% tariffs ‘home run’ despite fears over US$500 billion cost

Deal risks gutting Taiwan’s semiconductor sector, opposition parties warn, as Beijing dubs it a plot to drain lifeblood of island’s industry.

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Taiwanese leader William Lai has said the agreement will strengthen Taiwan’s global competitiveness and deepen hi-tech cooperation with Washington. Photo: AFP
Japan

Why talk of a Japanese nuclear option is resurfacing – and why it alarms critics

Conservatives are calling for a rethink of nuclear taboos, while critics warn of risks to the global non-proliferation regime.

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China-Japan relations

Why Chinese victims of Japan’s WWII bio-warfare are still waiting for justice

Dark chapter’s telling complicated by Tokyo’s official denials, Washington’s immunity deals and Beijing’s shifting diplomatic priorities.

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TikTok

Editorial | TikTok deal could show way forward for US-China engagement

The agreement, under which the platform will become a joint venture controlled by a consortium of investors, highlights the importance of negotiation and mutual respect.

People hold signs in support of TikTok outside the US Capitol Building on March 13, 2024, in Washington. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
US-China relations

China says US defence policy act hypes up threat, urges ‘rational’ view on ties

Foreign ministry says NDAA undermines sovereignty, development interests, as Taiwan Affairs Office slams ‘misguided signals’ to separatists.

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The latest National Defence Authorisation Act, signed into law by US President Donald Trump this week, comes amid a fragile US-China trade detente. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Beijing condemns Washington’s landmark US$11 billion arms sale to Taiwan

US State Department approves massive deal that includes billions in Himars and howitzer equipment, drones and software.

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China-Asean relations

Cambodia and Thailand tell China’s Wang Yi they’re willing to cease fire

Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers brief Chinese counterpart on border conflict, while Beijing vows to ‘serve as a bridge’.

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