The rise of Pakistan in the emerging diplomacy over Iran

In some sectors, Xinjiang has generally outpaced the national average, but such positive indicators may not align with the actual employment experiences for some groups, especially the minority groups. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang speaks with youths from Xinjiang to find out more.

Our fifth regional series, Eye on Fujian, explores Fujian merchants’ adventurous mercantile spirit, UNESCO-listed Gulangyu, Fujian cuisine’s influence in Southeast Asia, and much more!

One month on, the war in Iran rages on and the Strait of Hormuz remains a chokepoint for trades around the world. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Meng Dandan hones in on the impact on merchants from Yiwu, Zhejiang province — often dubbed the “world’s supermarket”.

From wandering between homes in Malaysia to setting roots in Brunei, one would never have thought that a young rebel with just a toy car to his name would live a life in service of the gods. ThinkChina’s Josephine Hong shares snippets of the life of her father, Richard Hong Kuan Yin.

Ahead of Trump’s visit to Beijing, Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wun has accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit the mainland next month, raising questions about whether her peace-politics gambit can unify a divided KMT, navigate internal rivalries and election pressures, and advance cross-strait peace. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang dives into the issue.

While Trump 2.0 has shown that the US may not sway towards Taiwan as readily as before, Trump’s actions in Venezuela and Iran may be good for Taiwan, by tempering China’s ambitions. Taiwanese academic Ho Ming-sho weights the pros and cons. 

Oyster pancake, all forms of pastries called ge (guo 粿), go (gao 糕) and bnia (bing 饼), one-of-a-kind braised noodles, red rice wine chicken and even pork double-boiled in urine — from his findings in Yongchun county and other studies, anthropology professor Tan Chee-Beng shares his knowledge about the wonders of eastern and southern Fujian cuisines.

China’s growing love for pets has created a billion-dollar industry, with smart devices, AI services and full life-cycle care. Local governments are also backing the trend to boost domestic consumption. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi speaks to industry players to find out more about the shift in social attitudes and policies that have led to this growth.

In US-China relations, US President Trump in his second term is an asset. Whether the May visit to China yields concrete objectives, the process of ongoing plans for meetings and summitry helps to stabilise the relationship, says US academic Zhiqun Zhu.

Fujian, a historic maritime gateway and strategic frontier in China, has played a defining role in China’s past. Taiwanese historic photo collector Hsu Chung-mao takes us on a pictorial journey that explores the rich history and culture of his ancestral homeland, while reflecting on his personal ties to the region.

Two centuries of Western dominance are giving way to a world shaped by multiple civilisations. China, India and others assert distinct models, signalling a future of coexistence, negotiation and multipolar competition. Professor Tan Kong Yam assesses the future world order.

In the Iran war, the US, China and Russia each pursue their own objectives, while Iran and Israel follow separate agendas, creating a complex web of interests. No clear path to a ceasefire has emerged, and the conflict’s endgame remains uncertain. Academic Hao Nan examines the possible scenarios.

China’s tourism boom is being reshaped by travellers chasing immersive, culture-rich experiences — from lantern parades to viral folk traditions — fuelling record spending and policy support, but can the country turn this surge into sustainable growth without losing its authenticity?

China’s growing economic scale, technological innovation and active engagement in trade and regional initiatives make it a crucial force in shaping Asia’s stability, growth and prosperity over the next 25 years. This is the transcript of the speech delivered by Singapore’s Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong at the 2026 Bo'ao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference on 26 March 2026.

Europe finds itself at an impasse in its relations with China. Fundamentally, China holds more of the cards, and this does not change even with recent escalating events like the US-Israeli war on Iran. French researcher Mathieu Duchâtel gives his assessment.

Gulangyu, a UNESCO-listed island off Xiamen, was once a haven for Hokkien tycoons from Southeast Asia. Housing gems from Lim Bo Seng’s abode in student days to grand mansions, it reflects a rich, transregional past. NUS architecture professor Chen Yu takes us through the mesmerising vistas of Gulangyu.

Amid “involution” and competition in China, some Chinese are opting to migrate to Japan. However, given the current political tension between China and Japan, things are not as rosy as they had hoped. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lim Zhan Ting speaks to some Chinese in Japan to get their views.