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SCMP

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. With no team in World Cup, Chinese fans root for Ronaldo, Messi … and a referee

Among the hundreds of thousands of fans who travelled to North America for the World Cup are countless Chinese supporters. Yet while China remains one of the world’s largest football markets, its presence at the tournament is largely confined to the stands.
Read the full story here.
2. Will US-India tensions hurt Quad’s critical mineral ambitions?

A US strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman did more than kill three Indian sailors and severely undercut US-India relations. It also cast further doubt on the unity of the Quad and the group’s ambitious agenda aimed at loosening China’s dominant grip on critical minerals.
Read the full story here.
3. Japan, South Korea not for nuclear weapons – until one of them changes policy

A survey in Japan and South Korea revealed that strategic elites in both countries remain sceptical about developing nuclear weapons. However, should one of the two countries take the lead in acquiring nuclear weapons, support for such a move in the other country could rise rapidly.
Read the full story here.
4. China’s Shein to be ousted from Paris store after other brands flee

A department store in central Paris announced the end of its cooperation with Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant Shein, which, French media reported, could see the e-commerce platform’s first physical store closed by Christmas.
Read the full story here.
5. EU says China trained Russian troops as bloc weighs tougher stance on Beijing

The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said that the bloc has verified reports that China’s military has been “training Russian military personnel to fight in Ukraine”, a development that could deepen tensions between the two sides.
Read the full story here.
6. US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

The United States assured India that future artificial intelligence models would not be “cut off” days after Washington abruptly banned Anthropic’s advanced models on national security grounds, a senior Indian official told the South China Morning Post.
Read the full story here.
7. EU sets China October deadline for ‘tangible results’ after key trade talks

In a bid to cool searing trade tensions, the EU and China launched a new ministerial-level platform for solving grievances, with Brussels insisting that disputes over trade imbalances, export controls and intellectual property must deliver “tangible results” by October 2026.
Read the full story here.


EU’s von der Leyen vows tough China-trade stance: ‘words are good, but deeds are better’

Sweden’s long election night ends without answers – but caution on China seems certain

German industry wants tougher trade action on Beijing. So why are investments in China up?

US-China decoupling could benefit other countries, China trade war game suggests

China-EU relations

China’s Fifa fever, EU’s trade deadline: 7 global relations reads

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match against Jordan. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Shutterstock

Photo: Kyodo

Photo: AFP

Photo: EPA

Photo: Handout

Putin in Beijing, ‘China shock’ in EU: 7 global relations reads

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: AP

Photo: Sputnik via Reuters

Awkward India diplomacy, US-Nato ‘crisis’, Strait of Hormuz woes: 7 global relations reads

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy speedboat approaches the cargo ship Epaminondas during what state media described as the seizure of one of two vessels accused of violations in the Strait of Hormuz on April 21. Photo: Tasnim News Agency via AP

Photo: AP

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service handout via EPA

Photo: Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

illustration: Henry Wong

Photo: UK Ministy of Defence via Reuters

Trump’s Iran attack, EU ‘too slow’, China-India relations: 7 global relations reads

Smoke rises over Tehran, Iran, on Sunday. Israel and the US launched strikes on the country on Saturday. Photo: WANA via Reuters

Photo: WANA via Reuters

Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Photo: AFP / US Department of Defence

Photo: dpa

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From the Quad’s critical mineral agenda to Shein’s Paris ousting, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in June 2026


From the Quad’s critical mineral agenda to Shein’s Paris ousting, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in June 2026.


China’s Fifa fever, EU’s trade deadline: 7 global relations reads

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From the Quad’s critical mineral agenda to Shein’s Paris ousting, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in June 2026

1. With no team in World Cup, Chinese fans root for Ronaldo, Messi … and a referee

2. Will US-India tensions hurt Quad’s critical mineral ambitions?

From the Quad’s critical mineral agenda to Shein’s Paris ousting, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in June 2026