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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

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Illustration: Craig Stephens
China economy

Opinion | China showcases its role as a stabilising force amid US turbulence

From the ‘two sessions’ to Boao Forum, Beijing is promoting tech independence, green innovation and support for developing nations.

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Donald Trump

Waltz team set up 20 Signal chats on China, other global issues: US report

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Hong Kong

Editorial | Rescue heroes brave dangers on all fronts in Myanmar tragedy

United States

US won’t take over Greenland, Denmark PM says, vowing support against Trump

Mette Frederiksen is on a three-day trip to the Arctic island days after US Vice-President J.D. Vance stirred controversy with his visit.

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Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (middle) and her husband Bo Tengberg (2nd from right) disembarks the aircraft and are greeted by Greenland’s acting Head of Government, Mute Bourup Egede at the Nuuk airport on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong politics

Beijing calls on HSBC to help improve Sino-British ties, boost Hong Kong’s image

HSBC Group chairman Mark Tucker meets Chinese VP Han Zheng and Xia Baolong, director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, in capital.

Science

Exclusive | US cyber expert Wang Xiaofeng ‘is safe’ after FBI raids, source says

Unverified statement circulating among Wang’s colleagues says case linked to research grant in China from about seven years ago.

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United States

Opinion | With friends like Trump’s America, who needs enemies?

Whether it’s the Ukraine conflict, global trade or the ability to plan a classified military operation, the US’ credibility is in doubt.

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US President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28. Photo: TNS
US-China trade war

China contends ‘key pillar’ agriculture is off-limits in US trade war

Party mouthpiece warns against mutually destructive trade practices, says US and China are ‘natural partners in agriculture’.

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US-China relations

Editorial | US playing dangerous game by targeting Hong Kong officials

Latest sanctions over national security law under the guise of human rights can only worsen already fraught Washington-Beijing relations.

US-China relations

US YouTube star in China, Beijing ‘hackers for hire’: 7 US-China relations reads

From IShowSpeed’s Great Wall adventures to espionage fears, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in March 2024.

YouTube star Darren Jason Watkins Jnr, aka IShowSpeed, is seen streaming live from the Great Wall of China during his visit to Beijing in March 2025. Photo: Youtube/IShowSpeed
US-China relations

China-US summit hopes fade as Trump 2.0 goes hard on tariffs, Taiwan: analysts

Washington has changed its tune on Beijing, mistakenly believing that China will yield, observer says.

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US President Donald Trump’s aggressive playbook towards China includes slapping tariffs, playing the Taiwan card, and flexing muscle through Indo-Pacific allies. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-China relations

‘Jimmy Lai Way’: US call to honour jailed tycoon by renaming Washington street

Bill put forward by bipartisan group of US House members comes a day after US State Department sanctioned six Hong Kong officials.

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China-Russia relations

China and Russia look to ‘broader and broader’ ties and ‘close coordination’

Vladimir Putin tells China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in Moscow that he’s ‘looking forward’ to welcoming Xi Jinping next month.

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India

India’s early moves to shield from Trump’s global tariffs may pay off

The US may not target India as yet under its global reciprocal tariffs given New Delhi’s moves to slash import duties, analysts say.

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US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in the Oval Office in February. Photo: TNS
Pakistan

Opinion | How tech innovation can bolster Pakistan’s relationship with China

Pakistan’s start-up ecosystem is set to flourish and collaboration with China in areas such as agritech and fintech can boost growth and prosperity.

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A woman takes a selfie with her friends after offering prayers at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. About two-thirds of the population are under 30, and many are eager to adopt new technology. Photo: AFP
United States

Letters | Time for Nato to eject the United States

Readers discuss why Nato is better off without the US, and how Trump is destroying a world order that favours the US.

North Korea

Trump talks up ‘big nuclear’ North Korea and reaching out to Kim

Kim Jong-un hasn’t shown any serious interest in re-engaging with the US president. But Trump still has a soft spot for the ‘very smart guy’.

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Myanmar

‘Cosmic verdict’ fears grip Myanmar junta in earthquake’s aftermath

While rescue teams struggle against civil war roadblocks, analysts warn of a ‘cursed’ regime facing a legitimacy crisis.

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Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrives at a hospital compound in Naypyidaw on Friday to meet earthquake survivors. Photo: AFP
India

‘Deep optics’: what Yunus’ China trip means for Bangladesh-India ties

While Bangladesh’s flags flew high, commemorating a liberation forged with Indian blood, its interim leader was in China sealing deals.

South China Sea

South China Sea: poor diplomacy and deep mistrust may spark crisis, expert warns

Region is in ‘stable tension’, analyst tells Boao Forum. ‘We already have so many actors in the region … It’s so crowded, this place’.

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Israel-Gaza war

Bodies of 15 rescuers recovered from grave in Gaza, UN officials say

UN demands answers for deaths of first responders after bodies and mangled vehicles were found buried in sand.

Palestinians mourn Red Crescent staff who came under Israeli fire while on a rescue mission, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Opinion | In a broken world, China-Japan-Korea cooperation is Asia’s backbone

By blending economic might, technological prowess and cultural bonds, cooperation can be elevated into a transformative, inspiring force.

From the left, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya join hands at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on March 21. Photo: Kyodo
Science

FBI raids on Chinese-American scientist revives China Initiative fears

Two Indiana homes of cybersecurity researcher and professor raided by FBI and Homeland Security but no reason cited, local media report.

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Russia

Kremlin working on Ukraine peace after Trump says he’s ‘angry’ with Putin

Trump’s “pissed off” stance has not derailed US-Russia talks, as the Kremlin confirmed work on Ukraine peace ideas and improved bilateral ties continues.

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United States

Video | US to stand with Japan against ‘aggressive’ China

Hegseth reaffirms US-Japan alliance against ‘aggressive Communist Chinese’
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China-Asean relations

Exclusive | China woos the neighbours, with Xi said to be planning 3-country tour in April

The Chinese leader is expected to spend three days in Malaysia as well as visit Vietnam and Cambodia.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping during his last Southeast Asian visit in December 2023, pictured being welcomed to Vietnam. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Trump planning to visit Saudi Arabia in mid-May: report

Trump has spoken of Saudi Arabia investing upwards of US$1 trillion in the US economy.

Venezuela

Venezuela received first high-level criminal among US deportees

Venezuela confirms a gang leader was among the latest batch of migrants deported from the US.

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