Articles by Sim Tze Wei

After Trump and Putin, Xi turns to North Korea

Amid rumours of Xi Jinping visiting North Korea, analysts believe this is a calculated move by China to hold the strategic initiative and balance ties among the US, Russia and North Korea. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei finds out more.

Sim Tze Wei

Trump in Beijing: Why China may miss Trump after 2029

Even as US-China rivalry deepens, Beijing may look back on Trump’s transactional unpredictability as a rare stabiliser in an increasingly ideological and uncertain post-Trump world, argues Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei.

Sim Tze Wei

Xi and Trump set for a second-best outcome in Beijing

As Trump makes his way to meet Xi in Beijing, the friction between the two countries will be difficult to resolve, and observers believe that the talks are unlikely to produce any major breakthroughs. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei finds out from academics that stability and guardrails for bilateral relations is the least one might expect for a positive outcome of the summit.

Sim Tze Wei

High ceremony, low expectations as Trump meets Xi in Beijing

Trump meets Xi in Beijing for a carefully choreographed summit dominated by trade, Taiwan and geopolitical tensions. Despite high ceremony and tightly managed optics, expectations for major breakthroughs remain limited on both sides. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei and journalist Meng Dandan break down what to expect.

Sim Tze Wei

Ahead of Xi-Trump talks: Middle East, trade, Taiwan loom large ​

While the battle for the Strait of Hormuz takes centre stage, it is merely a pawn in the intensifying China-US rivalry. The upcoming Xi-Trump summit looms as a decisive arena where the Taiwan issue, energy security, trade sanctions and the AI race will clash. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei tells us more.

Sim Tze Wei

Is the Iran war weakening the dollar’s grip and lifting the RMB?

Geopolitical shocks from the Iran conflict are straining dollar dominance, as Gulf states explore swap lines and oil trade shifts toward alternative currencies, including the RMB. But questions remain over whether China’s currency is ready for a bigger global role. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei dives in.

Sim Tze Wei

Grounded: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has nowhere to fly

With Beijing applying pressure to block overseas trips by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, it is difficult for him to pursue any diplomacy as he has his hands tied with little to no room to manoeuvre, while Beijing continues with business as usual. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei tells us more.

Sim Tze Wei

Tit for tat: Beijing builds legal arsenal against Western sanctions and jurisdiction

US warning to Chinese banks over Iran-linked transactions triggered a swift response from Beijing, which rolled out new regulations to counter sanctions and extraterritorial legal pressure. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei examines this tit-for-tat escalation now extending into the legal sphere.

Sim Tze Wei

Fear of long war hits China’s Gulf investors hard

China’s Gulf investment outlook is under pressure as expectations of a drawn-out Iran conflict grow, with analysts saying a narrow ceasefire window will determine whether risk appetite recovers or further deteriorates. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei reports.

Sim Tze Wei

What if the Taiwan Strait were blockaded?

Chinese netizens joke about “dual toll booths” in the Strait of Hormuz, but the deeper question is what such blockade logic would mean if applied to the Taiwan Strait. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei examines the scenario.

Sim Tze Wei

Cheng Li-wun’s politics of quoting Xi Jinping

KMT chair Cheng Li-wun held a press conference where she recounted some of what transpired during her closed-door meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei gives her impressions of the session.

Sim Tze Wei

China holds the cards: Fertiliser, fuel and the Middle East crisis

As the war in the Middle East continues, China finds itself at an advantage in terms of fertilisers and fuels, and it is up to China to decide what to do with these trump cards. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei looks at the factors at play.

Sim Tze Wei