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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.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Incoming US president Donald Trump slammed what he called unfair fees for US ships passing through the Panama Canal and threatened to demand control of the waterway be returned to Washington. File photo: AFP
United States

Trump says he might demand Panama hand over canal

The US president-elect complained bitterly on social media about what he called the “ridiculous fees” charged by the Panama Canal.

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Xi Jinping

Opinion | Trump wants China’s Xi at his inauguration – to help broker peace in Ukraine?

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Vietnam

‘Very striking’: China and Vietnam tighten ties in a ‘3+3’ strategic pivot

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Donald Trump

You’re hired! Trump taps Apprentice producer Mark Burnett as special UK envoy

The show presented Trump Tower to millions of people as a symbol of power and success before Trump launched his first presidential campaign.

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US President Donald Trump (right) talks to television producer Mark Burnett during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington in February 2017. Photo: AP
South China Sea

To keep calm in the South China Sea, Beijing reaches for the bilateral playbook

China’s often-used bilateral consultation mechanism doesn’t always work, but it does help defuse conflicts, experts say.

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Middle East

Opinion | Fall of Syria’s Assad narrows China’s diplomatic space in the Middle East

There is too much power in the hands of the US and regional actors like Turkey for China to play a key role.

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Israel-Gaza war

Hamas, 2 other Palestinian groups say Gaza ceasefire deal ‘closer than ever’

A Hamas leader said talks had made ‘significant and important progress’.

People receive food relief at a food distribution centre in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. Photo: Xinhua
China-Africa relations

‘Genuinely popular’: how Africa’s positive opinion of China goes beyond the elite

Public views of China in sub-Saharan countries are overwhelmingly positive, Asia Society survey shows.

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Britain

Who is UK’s Mandelson, the ‘Prince of Darkness’ tasked with charming Trump?

The new British envoy to Washington has built relationships with powerful figures that could be key to mending strained ties between the two sides.

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Macau

Editorial | Xi tells Macau it shares national development responsibility with HK

Stability and prosperity stressed as former Portuguese city marks 25th anniversary of return to China and inaugurates new leader.

President Xi Jinping and Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai at the inauguration ceremony, which also celebrated Macau’s 25th anniversary as a special administrative region. Photo: Eugene Lee
Middle East

US scraps US$10 million bounty on Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa

Top US diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf welcomed ‘positive messages’ from their talks, including a promise to fight terrorism.

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Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, speaks at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, on December 8. Photo: AP
Canada

Canada’s Trudeau drops one-third of cabinet as his political future looks shaky

Meanwhile, the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh, whose party has been keeping the PM in power, says he will vote to bring down the Trudeau government.

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India

India reopens North Korea embassy in ‘strategic’ move in volatile region: experts

Experts believe the embassy’s resumption of operations will allow India to engage in diplomatic discussions on critical issues in Northeast Asia.

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China-Asean relations

Defence minister on first overseas trip since Beijing denied he was investigated

Dong Jun meets the head of the Vietnamese Communist Party in Hanoi on visit to mark military anniversary.

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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun visited Vietnam this week to attend a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: AFP
Asean

Anwar’s pick of Thaksin as adviser raises fears of ex-PM favouring Myanmar junta

Myanmar resistance groups are concerned that the former Thai leader will align his business interests with those of the military junta.

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Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at a tech event in Bangkok on December 4. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

EU finds pursuit of unity hampered by war, trade threats and Trump factor

‘Everyone talks about unity, but actually everybody is out to get the best deal for themselves and to avoid the absolute worst’: diplomat.

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Japan

Opinion | China can win Japan and South Korea over from a US under Trump

Amid political changes in the three countries, China can carve out a new strategic landscape in East Asia by offering trade and cooperation.

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US-China relations

Chinese national charged with acting as Beijing’s agent in California election

The arrest of Yaoning ‘Mike’ Sun comes amid rising concern that China is seeking to influence local polls and install friendly politicians.

Yaoning Sun is accused of conspiring with Chen Jun, who was sentenced to 20 months last month for acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government. Photo illustration: AP
US-China relations

Opinion | US-China science pact renewal a ray of hope amid techno-nationalism

The pact sustains targeted collaboration, but it also risks reinforcing emerging scientific blocs, potentially reshaping the global research landscape.

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Taiwan

Is Taiwan a factor in US decision to start moving marines from Okinawa to Guam?

Move has been in the pipeline for over a decade, but Washington has only just agreed to start relocating its first troops stationed in Japan.

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Vladimir Putin

Putin says Russia is ready to compromise with Trump on Ukraine war

Putin also said he was ready to organise another missile launch at Ukraine and see if Western air defence systems could shoot it down.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin answers questions during his annual live broadcast press conference with Russian federal, regional, and foreign media at the Gostiny Dvor forum hall in Moscow. Photo: EPA-EFE
United States

Opinion | How Biden’s memos can ensure continuity in US foreign policy under Trump

For the sake of national security, transition memos must offer a real road map on key specific foreign policy challenges, like the ones Bush did for Obama.

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US President Joe Biden with president-elect Donald Trump during a transition meeting at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on November 13. Photo: White House / Zuma Press Wire / dpa
Africa

France’s Macron visits ‘demolished’ Mayotte as residents seek aid

At least 31 people have died and more than 1,500 people were injured, more than 200 critically.

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Singapore

‘It’s the Singapore way’: Lawrence Wong outlines Gaza stance in first podcast

The prime minister highlighted the city state’s approach to the conflict, balancing humanitarian aid with long-term support for Palestinians.

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India

Quad plans joint coastguard training to counter China in Indo-Pacific: experts

Next year, the group will conduct joint coastguard training by focusing on grey-zone tactics.

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Aircraft carriers and warships participate in the second phase of Malabar naval exercise, a joint exercise comprising India, US, Japan and Australia, in the Northern Arabian Sea in November 2020. Photo: Indian Navy/AP
Japan

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago dinner with Akie Abe raises questions about Japan-US ties

Analysts believe the meeting, held before a scheduled meeting with current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, could be a tactic to pressure him to uphold ties with the US.

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US president-elect Donald Trump (left) is seen with Akie Abe, wife of slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and former first lady, Melania Trump. Photo: X/MELANIATRUMP
Japan

Okinawa governor seeks deadline to relocate 9,000 US Marines amid safety concerns

Analysts doubt Governor Denny Tamaki’s request will be met due to the logistical complexity of transferring thousands of US troops to Guam.

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US-China relations

Superpower showdown: how US-China economic warfare could play out under Trump

As US president-elect Donald Trump forms his hawk-filled cabinet, what might China do to counter and deflect a barrage of blows?

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