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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

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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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Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Illustration: Henry Wong
China-EU relations

Exclusive | ‘Trade is never free’: former WTO chief Pascal Lamy on the EU’s China challenge

He says Chinese authorities’ lack of interest in addressing structural macroeconomic imbalance a ‘huge problem’ for European Union.

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Pacific nations

Opinion | Pacific island states are trapped in Cold War 2.0

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Donald Trump

Trump and Mamdani plan to meet in New York during US president’s UN visit

Ukraine war

Zelensky and Trump have agreed to meet in New York, Ukrainian president says

‘There is diplomatic momentum,’ Zelensky wrote ‌on social media. The leaders will be in New York this week for the UN ⁠General Assembly.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky talks on the phone to US President Donald Trump on Sunday. Photo: Handout / Ukrainian Presidential Press Service / AFP
Britain

UK’s Burnham congratulates Trump and Danish PM on Greenland deal

On Saturday Trump said he had a deal with Denmark to bolster US military presence in Greenland after threatening to take the island by force.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Bessent, Greer and He tackle the economy, AI safety before the Xi-Trump summit

Top US, Chinese economic officials gather in New York for preparatory talks about strategic concerns.

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Donald Trump

Trump’s arch would be a ‘military complex’ hosting drones, snipers

Trump has been calling the new White House ballroom a ‘military complex’ while arguing it is necessary for national security purposes.

US President Donald Trump holds up a model for a proposed ‘Independence Arch’ during a dinner with ballroom donors in the East Room of the White House in Washington on October 15 last year. Photo: AFP
Canada

Macron, Carney pledge closer ties in Atlantic island meeting amid US strains

Ottawa has been seeking closer ties with the European Union amid an increasingly acrimonious trade war with the United States.

China trade

China elevates Li Chenggang to nation’s top international trade role

Appointment comes as Vice-Premier He Lifeng leads a delegation to the US ahead of expected Xi-Trump meeting.

China-North Korea relations

Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

The Yalu bridge remains unused years after completion – a reminder that despite economic reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang still decides where to invest its political attention.

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Illustration: Dennis Yip
Xi Jinping

Opinion | Middle powers don’t have to wait for a Trump-Xi-Putin summit

Rather than waiting for great powers to reshape the world, middle powers can find agency by deepening connections between hubs of cooperation.

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People pass a themed installation at a business district in Shenzhen on August 10. Moscow has suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could hold a trilateral meeting at the Apec summit. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Anwar was on song in India. Will Malaysia reap the rewards?

The Malaysian PM’s rendition of a Bollywood ballad went viral, but his India trip was about more than just the music.

Mainland China

Opinion | What China really means when it says it’s being ‘strategic’

Rather than geopolitical manoeuvring or calculation, this diplomatic label aims to convey seriousness, patience and a willingness to work for mutual long-term benefit.

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Middle East

Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital, after flames seen near Riyadh airport

The militants say they targeted ‘sensitive’ sites, along with an Aramco facility in the Red Sea city of Yanbu.

Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

How will Beijing receive the most senior Taiwan official at Apec events this year?

Hung Sun-han will be the first cabinet-level official under William Lai Ching-te to travel to mainland China.

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Taiwanese Labour Minister Hung Sun-han is expected to travel to Nanjing on Sunday, becoming the first cabinet-level official under the William Lai Ching-te administration to visit mainland China. Photo: Handout
Vladimir Putin

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

India

India’s Modi caught between Russian oil needs and US trade threats

Cutting Russian oil imports could avoid price rises ahead of key polls but keeping such purchases could cripple access to its largest market.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

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US President Donald Trump displays signed orders during a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Friday. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump says Xi state dinner is ‘a very tough ticket’ as guest list takes shape

US president says White House seats about 125 guests, while Chinese executives facing scrutiny in the US are considered for Xi’s delegation.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Word to the wise on organising a Chinese leader’s US visit

Ex-senior US intelligence official Dennis Wilder reflects on his experience of Hu Jintao’s 2006 White House visit ahead of Xi-Trump meeting.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

China hawks join forces in US Congress to pressure Trump ahead of Xi’s visit

Trump administration criticised for focusing on achieving economic gains from Beijing while neglecting political and human rights issues.

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Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the Trump administration did not "speak up for human rights in China because of commercial interests". Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit preview: what are the best and worst scenarios?

Tariff cuts or a new 7.5 per cent duty on China? Possible outcomes on the cards as leaders navigate a trade truce and a widening tech schism.

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Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping arrive for a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People during Trump’s visit to Beijing in May. Photo: AP
Singapore

Singapore minister Chan Chun Sing’s Mandarin diplomacy strikes China chord

Chan quoted ancient philosopher Mencius in his speech at Xiangshan Forum, winning praise on social media for his knowledge of Chinese thought.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

US hands over 64 artefacts to China in diplomatic push before summit

Beijing praises repatriation of looted treasures as concrete proof of constructive US-China cooperation before high-level talks.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit, China AI at Brics, Asian Games

This week: Chinese and US officials hold final talks before a White House summit on Thursday, Xi offers AI support to Brics nations, the Pinglu Canal opens in southwest China and retail sales unexpectedly cool. Next week: World leaders address the UN General Assembly, Malaysia’s prime minister visits China, Hong Kong hosts state funeral for Tung Chee-hwa, Asian Games open, and more.

A military band rehearses ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s White House visit. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | US families press for loved ones’ release from China ahead of Xi’s visit

Cases of US citizens detained in China gain greater attention as their families increase pressure on Trump administration to help them.

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Chen Youlin and his wife, Rong Yufang. Chen is one of the US citizens detained in China. Photo: Chen family
China-Latin America relations

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Jamieson Greer asked Brasilia to curb ‘non-market’ buyers of critical minerals in exchange for relief from Trump’s tariffs.

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Donald Trump

Trump says ‘major progress’ made towards US base in Poland

Announcement comes despite a wider US review of troop levels in Europe and tensions over Nato defence spending.

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