Politics
As China’s maritime posture seems to be getting more muscular and the US’s intentions in the Indo-Pacific become less clear, the Philippines and Japan are seeking stronger security relations to safeguard all eventualities. Manila-based analyst Don McLain Gill explains.
Don McLain Gill
08 Jun 2026
Politics
China’s new red line: Sanctioning foreign lawmakers over Taiwan visits
Following a visit to Taiwan, four New Zealand MPs have been banned from entering mainland China for one year. Is this truly justified as Beijing feels, or is it an overreaction that signals greater confidence on China’s part? Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei tells us more.
Sim Tze Wei
08 Jun 2026
Politics
Xi’s missing smile: What AI reveals about his meetings with Trump and Putin
Using a combination of state media news footage, artificial intelligence and a facial coding system, Taiwanese academic Wen-Hsuan Tsai finds that body language speaks volumes when he compares Chinese President Xi Jinping’s facial expressions in the Xi-Trump meetings of May 2026 and November 2017, and the Xi-Putin meeting of May 2026.
Wen-Hsuan Tsai
08 Jun 2026
Politics
Japan and Philippines harden stance against China amid US-China detente
As Washington softens its tone on Beijing, Japan and the Philippines are tightening defence ties to counter China, forging a potent middle-power coalition in Asian waters. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.
Han Yong Hong
05 Jun 2026
Politics
Confucian new tianxia order: Humaneness to restrain nationalism and save globalisation
As the world makes radical swings between nationalism and cosmopolitanism, is there a third way — a Confucian world order ruled by a humaneness-based hierarchy? Academic Tongdong Bai ponders the question.
Tongdong Bai
05 Jun 2026
Politics
Bilahari Kausikan: Uneasy and fragile China-US truce will not hold forever
Retired Singapore diplomat Bilahari Kausikan warns that the current China-US trade truce is fragile, the US-China summit has not brought substantive changes to the US’s Taiwan policy and the Iran war will not end well. Lianhe Zaobao China news correspondent Edwin Ong notes key points from a fireside chat at the Nomura Investment Forum Asia in Singapore.
Edwin Ong
04 Jun 2026
Politics
[Big read] After Xi-Trump summit, a jittery Taiwan takes stock
Soon after the US-China summit in Beijing, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stressed that peace in the Taiwan Strait would not be sacrificed or traded away, and called for Taiwan to bolster its national strength and cooperate closely with Taiwan’s global democratic partners. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks with academics and analyses the situation.
Miao Zong-Han
04 Jun 2026
Politics
Did Japan just ‘downgrade’ China in its Diplomatic Bluebook?
Japan’s latest Diplomatic Bluebook describes China as “an important neighbouring country”, when it used to be “one of Japan’s most important bilateral relations”, prompting backlash from China. Academic Shin Kawashima says there is no need to read too much into the change in phrasing.
Shin Kawashima
03 Jun 2026
Politics
Chan Chun Sing: Not pro- or anti-China or the US, ‘We are pro-ASEAN’
At his remarks in the panel discussion at Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 and after-event media interviews, Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing stressed “action and communication” as key to building defence trust, urged ASEAN unity and vigilance, gave his views on Chinese representation and reaffirmed a “pro-ASEAN” stance amid China-US rivalry. Lianhe Zaobao’s Tan Ke-Yang and Daryl Lim report.
Tan Ke-Yang, Daryl Lim
02 Jun 2026
Politics
[Video] Hegseth at Shangri-La Dialogue: Toning down US rhetoric
At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth seemed to tone down criticisms of China. Does this mean a more pragmatic, prudent approach going forward? Lianhe Zaobao China news correspondent Edwin Ong speaks to experts for their take.
Edwin Ong
02 Jun 2026
Politics
Sino-US relations after Xi-Trump summit: Towards a new stability?
If China and the US steadfastly build a “constructive relationship of strategic stability”, they would be well on their way to creating a new paradigm of major-country relations. The Beijing summit showed early signs of the two countries moving towards a more stable path, says Chinese academic Wu Xinbo.
Wu Xinbo
29 May 2026
Politics
Why bombs don’t break Iran
The domestic issues and fragile regime in Iran would have led one to believe that an attack by the US would result in a quick defeat. Commentator Tao Ray offers a perspective on why Iran remains resilient: not because of its military strength or strategy, but the strong sense of “us versus them”.
Tao Ray
26 May 2026
Politics
Trump and Putin’s visits confirm Beijing as the new global pivot
China’s recent hosting of both the US and Russian presidents shows that while it is not yet replacing the US as the strongest among the three powers, there is a definite shift in the balance, and China is dealing with both on its own terms. Academic Alexander Korolev explains.
Alexander Korolev
26 May 2026
