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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
Illustration: Henry Wong
US-China relations

Exclusive | US sentiment on China does not equal consensus, analyst Rick Waters says

Ex-US Department of State official discusses the role of civil diplomats and whether US should have an end-state goal in its China strategy.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | How China can counter Trump’s assault on the belt and road

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Ukraine war

Rubio leading US delegation to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia on Ukraine

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Israel-Gaza war

‘Open the gates of hell’: US and Israel present united front on Gaza and Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio endorses Israel’s war aims in Gaza, says Hamas must be eliminated.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Britain

Former UK PM John Major warns of dangers if US does not stand by allies

Major said if the US ‘retreats towards isolation’ it would leave the door open for China and Russia to wield increased influence.

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Germany

Munich Security Conference ends with message of hope for EU expansion

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania and Montenegro are the ‘front-runners’ among current candidates for EU accession.

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Middle East

Turkish pro-Kurd MPs meet veteran Kurdish leader in Iraq

The Turkish delegation visited Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, near Arbil, capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Members of the left-wing nationalist Turkish Youth Union (TGB) during a protest against the new solution process to be carried out with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), in Istanbul on Sunday. Photo: AFp
Taiwan

US State Department cuts line on ‘Taiwan independence’ from website fact sheet

Previous reference to US position of not supporting independence for the island no longer on site.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s first elephant orphanage celebrates 50 years

The orphanage opened in 1975, but Sri Lanka is also now facing a human-elephant conflict in areas bordering traditional wildlife sanctuaries.

Britain

UK’s Starmer prepares to raise defence spending

Starmer is preparing to overrule his finance minister and order more defence spending after the US demanded Europe pay more for its security.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo: EPA-EFE
European Union

Opinion | Amid threats to free trade, China and France must rise above differences

Beijing and Paris can craft a relationship that not only serves national interests but also contributes to a more stable, sustainable world.

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China’s President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands after a joint statement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on May 6, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
Africa

Rwanda-backed rebels reach major east DR Congo city

The Rwanda-backed M23 took control of the South Kivu province administrative office after little resistance from government forces.

China-Africa relations

Will China fill gap left by the US at G20 meeting in South Africa?

Analyst says China emphasis on working together on international issues is the opposite of ‘America first’ as espoused by Trump.

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The Philippines

‘Wilful pollution’: China’s space debris puts Philippines on edge

For Manila, Beijing’s pursuit of the heavens is leaving a worrying trail of debris – and diplomatic challenges – back on Earth.

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A Long March 8A rocket, carrying a group of low-Earth orbit satellites, launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Tuesday. Photo: CNSPhoto via Reuters
Russia

US, Russia seek to eliminate Biden-era ‘barriers’ as ties thaw

Foreign Minister Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rubio hold phone call to work on restoring ‘mutually respectful interstate dialogue’.

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Donald Trump with Russia’s Vladimir Putin (left) in Japan in 2019. Photo: AP
United States

Letters | US is showing symptoms of an empire in decline

Readers discuss the rise and fall of empires, Trump’s Gaza proposal, and the rationale behind Israel’s actions against Hamas.

Ukraine war

‘Old days are over’: Trump’s rush for deal with Putin puts EU in a corner

Europe faces a desperate race to agree on plans for Ukraine’s security following J.D. Vance’s blistering attack on the bloc’s values.

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The Philippines

Opinion | Why the Philippines must pursue its own Indo-Pacific strategy

If Washington uses Manila as a pawn in a ‘grand bargain’, Marcos should seek his own strategic deals with US rivals like China.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is seen with military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr during the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 89th anniversary in Quezon City, on December, 20, 2024. Photo: AP
North Korea

US, South Korea and Japan reaffirm pledge to seek North Korea denuclearisation

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his counterparts from the two nations on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

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Canada

Trump’s threats and 51st state taunts reset race to lead Canada

Conservative leader Poilievre had seemed on track for a decisive election victory, but concern over US relations has shifted the mood.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky blocks Trump-led deal on rare earths as it ‘does not protect’ Ukraine

The leader says he did not allow his ministers to sign the agreement because it was ‘not ready’ and lacked security guarantees for Kyiv.

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Donald Trump meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower in September. Photo: AP
Germany

US interference in German election unacceptable, Scholz says

The Chancellor pushed back on US Vice-President J.D. Vance’s speech from the previous day, defending Germany’s taboo against the far-right.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) Photo: dpa
Donald Trump

Macroscope | Trump’s ‘big stick diplomacy’ won’t go far in today’s world system

Conflicting monetary goals and budget constraints will undermine the administration’s ability to exert influence from a position of strength.

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Pacific nations

Cook Islands says comprehensive strategic partnership deal signed with China

The partnership establishes a framework for engagement on ‘priority areas’ including trade and investment, tourism and climate resilience.

Africa

African Union summit opens, overshadowed by DR Congo conflict

DR Congo president absent after Rwandan-backed forces seized a second major city on his territory.

(From left) Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye attend the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting in Addis Ababa on Friday. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Quiet clash over Afghanistan may presage more US-China tensions at UN

Beijing has shown interest in initiating and guiding UN resolutions and mandates concerning Kabul, which Washington opposes.

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Afghans receiving UN-sponsored rations distributed by the National Disaster Preparedness Office in Kabul, on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's military weapons

China’s loss could be South Korea’s gain as Southeast Asia shifts arms spending

South China Sea disputes, affordability and political trust help Seoul gain foothold in Southeast Asian arms market, analysts say.

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Brazil

Brazil’s Lula chides Beijing, EU, US for practices that gave China its tech edge

The Brazilian president also hinted that he may file a WTO complaint against Washington’s tariffs.

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