France

China’s diplomatic blitz in Trump’s backyard — who will dominate the western hemisphere?

The high frequency of foreign dignitaries from Asia, Europe and South America visiting China at the start of 2026 indicates a strong focus and urgency behind Beijing’s effort to draw US allies closer and counter America’s efforts to restore preeminence in the western hemisphere, observes ISEAS researcher Lye Liang Fook.

Lye Liang Fook

Greater China-Russia strategic alignment links two ‘battlefields’ of Eurasia

Although the Russia-Ukraine war and Taiwan Strait situations are different, strategic alignment between China and Russia on issues involving Japan and the “one China” principle during critical moments means there is room for linkages and even mutual restraint between the two “battlefields” in Eurasia, observes Lianhe Zaobao’s associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei. 

Sim Tze Wei

Why Japan and France are trapped in a dangerous leadership deadlock

Japan and France face political deadlock as divided parties and weak governments create a leadership void, threatening democracy and risking a rise in extremism amid global uncertainty. Commentator Chen Kuohsiang looks into the consequences.

Chen Kuohsiang

Does Europe have strategic autonomy?

Even as the European Union (EU) seems to operate as a whole when it comes to international organisations such as the G7 and G20, there are contradictions within the grouping, as well as between the EU and external countries. Chinese academic Guo Bingyun looks at whether Europe’s seeming strategic autonomy has real substance to it.

Guo Bingyun

Trade war a double-edged sword for China and Europe

Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan sees a potential China-EU trade war looming, fuelled by Europe’s policies, Chinese tariffs, and political complexities.

Yu Zeyuan

Europe’s strategic autonomy: A force for global good

Chinese academic Zhang Yun explains why Europe’s strategic autonomy is not about parting ways with the US, and also why the more dynamic Sino-European ties are, the healthier China-Europe-US relations would be.

Zhang Yun

What do Xi and Macron want from each other?

To reciprocate Chinese President Xi Jinping’s warm welcome of French President Emmanuel Macron to Beijing last year, Macron pulled out all the stops to accord Xi the royal treatment during the latter’s visit to France this week. However, notes Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu, playing up the “personal” card may not be enough when it comes to state-to-state interactions.

Yang Danxu

Populism and anti-immigration fervour surges in the West

Taiwanese commentator Chen Kuohsiang notes that populist fervour and anti-immigration sentiments in the US and Europe embolden each other and form a vicious circle, dominating major political issues. This has led to the potential political comeback of former US President Donald Trump and the rise of opposition parties in Europe.

Chen Kuohsiang

India, France and Japan join hands to counter China's influence in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's recent high-level diplomatic engagements with India, France and Japan highlighted the island nation's importance in the ongoing great power rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region. After obtaining an IMF bailout with the assistance of these nations and dealing with the fallout of the pro-China Rajapaksa family, is the new Sri Lankan administration adopting a more Western and India-oriented vision?

Rishi Gupta

EU strategic autonomy: Easier said than done

Academic Ye Shengzhou explains why French President Emmanuel Macron has been aggressively pushing for EU strategic autonomy, more so after his visit to China. But even if France puts its weight behind the concept, the path of achieving strategic autonomy is paved with obstacles.

Ye Shengzhou

EU's China policy staying on track despite intensifying debate

While French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to China is viewed by some to be an exercise in stirring the pot, this does not mean that the European boat has veered off course. The EU is used to robust debate among and within member states, and can take this as another opportunity to affirm their stance on China.

Marc Julienne

ThinkCartoon

Heng Kim Song has been the freelance editorial cartoonist for Lianhe Zaobao since 1984. His cartoons are also featured in many major international publications including The New York Times, Asahi Shimbun, JoongAng Ilbo, South China Morning Post and Yazhou Zhoukan. His many awards include the Top Award in United Nations ESCAP's Cartoon Competition and the Grafica Internazionale Award presented by Italian Museum of Political Satire and Caricature. Heng has also participated in many international exhibitions and events, including the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings held in Davos, Switzerland.

Heng Kim Song