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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

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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

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28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

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7
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

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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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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
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
An American Flag hangs from a crane at Port Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Friday. US President Donald Trump has slapped new tariffs on 60 trading partners. Photo: AFP
Asean

Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

The additional duties come just a day after Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US is ‘with Asean 100 per cent’.

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US-China relations

How America’s 250-year China dream became its greatest strategic challenge

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Japan

Japan, UK, Italy eye Japanese factory to build fighter jet

Ukraine war

Ukraine insists Japan’s pacifist rules permit Patriot missile help

A senior aide to Ukraine’s president said Kyiv was looking to Tokyo for ‘defence cooperation’ to operate the American air defence system.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his Ukrainian counterpart pose after a signing ceremony in Tokyo on July 1. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan courts India, Malaysia to escape US-China AI duopoly

Fears over foreign software curbs have pushed Tokyo to pitch its own tech to Asian partners and others.

Central Asia

China tests Central Asian land corridors to bypass maritime chokepoints

New Afghanistan link via Uzbekistan highlights diversification push, but critics ask if Taliban can ensure security for stable logistics.

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US-China trade war

Nvidia, Palantir, Meta warn about ‘premature restrictions’ of open-weight models

Top US tech companies urge policymakers in open letter not to undermine competition and drive more users to Chinese AI systems.

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Nvidia was one of the giant US tech companies to sign an open letter urging policymakers to avoid "premature restrictions" on open-weight models. Photo: Shutterstock
Donald Trump

US small businesses sue Trump administration over new ‘forced labour’ tariffs

The lawsuit argues that the US president is trying to reimpose duties that were already ruled illegal by the Supreme Court.

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US-China relations

FBI director meets China’s public security chief in Beijing on crime crackdown

Talks come as the US and China step up high-level engagement and seek closer cooperation on law enforcement and security.

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Donald Trump

Trump vows fresh tariffs on EU in retaliation for US$1 billion Google fine

The threats come on the heels of the US president’s decision to impose duties of at least 10 per cent on goods from around 60 nations.

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US President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a high school in Marietta, Georgia, on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Sexual harassment and assault

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan removed over sexual misconduct allegations

The UK barrister is accused of having a non-consensual sexual relationship with a junior lawyer working at the International Criminal Court.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan speaks during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
United States

Outside In | Why Donald Trump may regret reheating his global trade war

Over the coming months, efforts to China-proof supply chains are likely to drive US foreign policy. Success, however, is unlikely to follow.

Malaysia

US summons Malaysian envoy over ban on Israeli citizens

The ambassador told the State Department that Malaysia’s policy of not recognising Israel was not new, the foreign minister said.

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Australia

Australia ramps up Aukus funding with US$3.2 billion for nuclear submarine yard

Aukus, designed to check China’s military advance in the Indo-Pacific, is expected to cost Canberra up to US$250 billion over 30 years.

US Navy officers stand aboard the Virginia-class submarine USS Minnesota docked at HMAS Stirling in Rockingham, Western Australia, on February 26, 2025. Australia aims to acquire at least three US Virginia-class submarines. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Editorial | Wang-Rubio meeting after Trump remarks shows guard rail is up and working

Not even Trump’s inflammatory accusations of Chinese election interference have derailed the relationship.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump throws Saudi nuclear deal into doubt with Israel recognition demand

White House says pact hinges on Riyadh joining Abraham Accords, a condition analysts say the kingdom is unlikely to accept.

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Taiwan

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

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US-China trade war

US senators clash over scope of Chinese connected-vehicle ban

Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of US Senate Committee on Commerce, warns substantial revisions will be needed before bill can become law.

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US Senate Committee on Commerce chairman Ted Cruz warned that unless the legislation was narrowed, the Connected Vehicle Security Act would face a difficult path to becoming law. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economies

‘Forced labour’ duties replace Trump administration’s original sweeping levies but are unlikely to generate the same level of global shock.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | As the West finds common cause, China prepares for the worst

Far from being able to take advantage of fissures among Western allies, China faces narrowing diplomatic options. But all leverage is not lost.

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China-Latin America relations

China vows to defend Brazil’s sovereignty as Trump’s 25% tariff bites

Wang Yi tells Brazilian foreign minister Beijing backs Brazil’s sovereignty, and asks for support on ‘China’s own core interests’ in return.

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Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (centre, left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre, right) meet on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Manila, the Philippines, on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Pentagon expands blacklist to include China’s top civilian universities

Fudan and Shanghai Jiao Tong join Defence Department research blacklist, extending US restrictions beyond military-linked institutions.

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The expanded list bars Pentagon-funded researchers from collaborating with listed institutions or using their equipment under new rules. Photo: Handout
US, Israel war on Iran

Chinese tanker passes Red Sea choke point despite Houthi blockade

Chinese tankers returning from the Saudi port of Yanbu may be able to negotiate passage on a case-by-case basis, a report says.

China-EU relations

EU waters down Russia sanctions over fears China could seize key LNG assets

Bloc concludes banning Greek companies from transporting Russian gas to third countries may hand strategic shipping advantages to Beijing.

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US-China trade war

Trump’s manufacturing push meets reality as costs rise and investment stalls

Tariffs alone have yet to overcome China’s competitive edge as policy uncertainty and structural hurdles weigh on US industry.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
US-China tech war

Can science bridge the US-China trust gap? Maybe with new rules, researchers say

Continuous dialogue and clearly defined boundaries between security and development are crucial, Fudan University researchers say.

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In recent years, the number of Chinese students studying in the US has steadily fallen. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong national security law

US sanctions on 39 Hong Kong, mainland officials to remain in place: Marco Rubio

President Donald Trump allowed emergency declaration to expire because ‘circumstances had changed’, US secretary of state says.

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South Korea

Seoul drops ‘denuclearisation-first’ stance on Pyongyang

The long-term goal of denuclearisation remains unchanged but stymieing new developments will be South Korea’s focus.

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