Can China’s partial lifting of Japanese seafood ban aid a post-Fukushima reset?

By Orange Wangin Beijing China has partially lifted its two-year ban on Japanese seafood imports in the latest step by Beijing to remove a diplomatic roadblock that has strained ties between the two neighbours. According to a Chinese customs notice issued on Sunday, shipments of seafood originating from “certain regions” of Japan would resume “conditionally” […]

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China to stay cautious as Iran seeks help amid clashes with US, Israel: Middle East expert

By Kawala Xie Iran may look to China for weapons support amid conflicts with the US and Israel, but Beijing will remain cautious, considering strained economic ties with Tehran and its broader interest in balancing ties with Israel and other Western-aligned states in the region, according to a veteran Chinese expert on the Middle East. […]

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Are Trump’s Iran strikes a ‘wake-up call’ for China on US unpredictability?

By Meredith Chen As US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities call into question the anti-war stance of US President Donald Trump, they may also reinforce Beijing’s assumptions about the unpredictability of the US administration, according to diplomatic observers. The attacks could bolster belief in Beijing that Washington might intervene in regional conflicts, prompting stronger […]

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China-Central Asia Relations Enter New Phase Amid Xi’s Visit

ASTANA — Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Kazakhstan and his participation in the Central Asia-China summit mark a new phase of strategic engagement, encompassing a broader Central Asian region. Experts highlight both unprecedented opportunities and growing scrutiny in the region’s evolving partnerships. In recent years, the Central Asia–China format has emerged as a […]

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China weighs strategic impact, trade ties as US mulls military response in Iran

By Kawala Xie China is likely to remain cautious about intervening in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict even if the US engages militarily, a prospect that would bring mixed results for Beijing, according to observers. Speculation over US intervention has grown since last Friday, following Israel’s most intense strikes on Iran in decades. Washington has since […]

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China, Central Asian countries agree better connectivity by land, flights

China and Central Asian countries are willing to improve road and railway connectivity, and will look to open more direct flights to and from China as they agreed to enhance exchanges, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. China will look at simplifying visa procedures with the five Central Asian countries while […]

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China Strengthens Partnerships Across Central Asia at Landmark Summit

By Vagit Ismailov and Stephen M. Bland Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Astana on June 16, ahead of the Second China-Central Asia Summit, marked a significant milestone in fostering deeper partnerships between China and Central Asia. With all of the region’s nations in attendance, the summit saw agreements signed across sectors such as energy, […]

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China’s Xi calls on Israel, Iran to ‘de-escalate’, says Beijing ready to play peacemaker

By Holly Chik Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict to avoid further tensions, while emphasising that Beijing is prepared to “play a constructive role” in restoring peace, according to state news agency Xinhua. “All parties should work to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible and avoid further escalation […]

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‘A new China shock’: von der Leyen revives hard line on Beijing at G7 summit

By Finbarr Bermingham in Brussels European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has accused Beijing of deliberately creating a near-monopoly in the global supply of rare earth elements, then weaponising the world’s reliance on those chains. Addressing the Group of Seven summit in Canada on Monday, von der Leyen made a hawkish return to form, […]

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