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Letters

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In a fragmented global landscape marked by fresh turmoil in the Middle East and mounting transatlantic strains, China leveraged its annual “two sessions” to project an image of stability. Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s press conference on March 8 laid out Beijing’s diplomatic messaging for the year ahead, offering what it frames as “certainty” amid the drift.
The message is calibrated for a multipolar era. With the US-China relationship still the diplomatic equation’s most delicate variable, Wang struck a pragmatic tone. Neither power can remodel the other, he argued, but both can choose how to engage. For Beijing, this reinforces a push towards engagement on terms closer to parity.
Beyond bilateral friction, China is doubling down on its Global South outreach. Wang framed the collective rise of these nations as a hallmark of global transformation, with Beijing positioning itself as a defender of multilateral frameworks. The strategy is also regional: turning its periphery into a “common home of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty and friendship” through platforms like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Association of Southeast Asian Nations code-of-conduct talks.
For international observers, the subtext is clear. As traditional great-power rivalry offers little but polarisation, China presents itself as an alternative pole – one offering investment and a commitment to multipolar coexistence. With the country’s gross domestic product surpassing 140 trillion yuan (US$20.3 trillion) for the first time, attention is also fixed on the 15th five-year plan.
The promise of stability will ultimately be judged on implementation. But for now, in a fractured world, Beijing’s voice is one many are choosing to heed – and in the multipolar order taking shape, it is a voice likely to carry increasing weight.
Ma Ning, Beijing
Eid ul-Fitr a time to forgive and rebuild hope
Muslims worldwide have been celebrating Eid ul-Fitr – a festival symbolising gratitude, community and peace. Yet for many this year, joy is overshadowed by deep grief and global turbulence.
This Ramadan has been unlike any other. The escalation of conflict across the Middle East, now involving both Israel and Iran, has turned what should be a month of reflection and mercy into a period of anguish. Since hostilities began with US-Israel strikes on February 28, regional monitors estimate around 2,000 people killed, with numbers growing daily.
In Jerusalem, Israeli authorities closed Al-Aqsa Mosque – Islam’s third-holiest site – during Ramadan’s final days, citing public safety amid the war with Iran. The move has sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world.
For me, Ramadan in Hong Kong has always been a time of connection and renewal. This was my 15th Ramadan here, and I noticed clear changes: more community iftars, more interfaith events and growing awareness among non-Muslims about what the month truly means. The city’s Muslim population, now estimated at around 300,000 people, has become increasingly visible and vibrant.
Even so, there is still a long way to go. Despite years of advocacy, Hong Kong still has not hosted a government-level iftar – a gesture that would powerfully signal inclusion. Visible signs of Ramadan, from festive markets to light displays and prayer-friendly public spaces, would not only foster belonging but strengthen Hong Kong’s image as a city open to global talent and cultural diversity.
Last Sunday also marked an important reminder. March 15 was the United Nations’ International Day to Combat Islamophobia, established in 2022 following the Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand in 2019 that claimed 51 lives. The day commemorates victims of Islamophobia and calls for action against rising intolerance.
Islamophobic incidents have surged worldwide, especially in countries like the United Kingdom and Australia in the past two years, alongside record complaints to the Council on American-Islamic Relations in the US (8,683 in 2025) of anti-Muslim discrimination and sharp rises in online hate. Muslim women, particularly those wearing the hijab, face disproportionate harassment and violence. From London to Los Angeles, and even in parts of Asia, fear and stereotyping persist.
However, the day is not only about data or denunciation. It is also about decency and choosing empathy over apathy. Real progress begins when we listen and humanise, when we speak against prejudice in our schools, workplaces and digital spaces.
On Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims share meals, exchange greetings and pray for peace. Despite the global turmoil, Eid’s message remains timeless: an invitation to forgive, to give generously and to rebuild hope.
This year, may that spirit extend far beyond the Muslim community. May Eid remind governments, institutions and individuals alike that unity begins not with tolerance but with respect. I wish everyone, Muslim or not, a blessed and peaceful Eid.
Ilnur Minakhmetov, Yau Ma Tei


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Opinion

Readers discuss Beijing’s diplomatic messaging at the ‘two sessions’ meetings, and the spirit of Eid ul-Fitr


Readers discuss Beijing’s diplomatic messaging at the ‘two sessions’ meetings, and the spirit of Eid ul-Fitr.


.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Readers discuss Beijing’s diplomatic messaging at the ‘two sessions’ meetings, and the spirit of Eid ul-Fitr

Readers discuss Beijing’s diplomatic messaging at the ‘two sessions’ meetings, and the spirit of Eid ul-Fitr