Politics

How Trump’s Iran war boosted Beijing

China’s diplomacy in the Middle East has seen highs and lows, most recently garnering some success in the Iran war, after troughs during the post-7 October 2023 period and initial highs when the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. Chinese academic Fan Hongda explains.

Fan Hongda

18 Jun 2026

Beijing’s sanctions only strengthened the Philippine defence chief

After Beijing made strong remarks and sanctioned Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr, the moves backfired — bolstering his standing at home, validating his criticisms of China and further damaging Beijing’s image in Southeast Asia, says Philippine academic Elaine Tolentino.

Elaine C. Tolentino

18 Jun 2026

ThinkCartoon (17 June 2026)

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

17 Jun 2026

How a Chinese film sparked cognitive warfare on Singapore

A heartfelt film about a Teochew grandmother unexpectedly triggered heated debate about culture and politics. Han Yong May, deputy editor-in-chief of SPH’s Chinese Media Group, takes a look at the cognitive warfare campaign targeting Singapore’s multiracial identity.

Han Yong May

16 Jun 2026

How Japan’s FOIP is reinforcing ASEAN’s strategic autonomy

The concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) was first proposed in 2016 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and now it has been updated under the Sanae Takaichi administration. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya notes that the FOIP is a channel for promoting regional cooperation with ASEAN, while respecting its autonomy.

Sukegawa Seiya

12 Jun 2026

China sidelines denuclearisation to strengthen ties with North Korea

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent Pyongyang visit signals a pragmatic shift in Beijing’s policy, tacitly accepting a nuclear-armed North Korea to counter shifting regional alliances. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.

Han Yong Hong

12 Jun 2026

‘Neo-militarism’: Why Beijing sees Japan reviving a prewar trajectory

China’s charge of Japan’s so-called “neo-militarism” is not about arsenal comparisons — it is a decades-old fear, now updated, that Japan is quietly restoring the prewar state that 1945 was supposed to dismantle, say Chinese academics Shao Jingkai and Wang Guangtao.

Shao Jingkai, Wang Guangtao

12 Jun 2026

China is everywhere at the World Cup except on the field

Despite the ambitions of Chinese President Xi Jinping for China to be in the World Cup, China has only qualified for the finals once before, and will not feature in this year’s edition — except in supporting roles. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei notes that football is a grassroots activity and can only thrive if allowed to grow organically.

Sim Tze Wei

11 Jun 2026

Xi in Pyongyang: Opening Asia’s frozen northeast frontier

The clearest signal delivered at Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Pyongyang visit was all in the map, says academic Hao Nan. A northern Northeast Asian corridor linking China’s northeast to the Tumen River, North Korea’s Rason, Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan, is now more possible than ever. 

Hao Nan

10 Jun 2026

Min Aung Hlaing in India: Hedging between giants, seeking legitimacy

India’s recent welcome of Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing was a combination of practical engagement and political hedging under “multi-alignment”. Deft or not, volatility in its backyard makes India’s moves uncertain and in constant need of adjustment. Academic Obja Borah Hazarika analyses the issue.

Obja Borah Hazarika

10 Jun 2026

Built to impress: Why China’s tourism boom leaves white elephants behind

China’s tourism boom has produced a wave of ambitious megaprojects across the country, but many have stalled or failed to attract visitors, leaving behind costly white elephants. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Liu reports.

Liu Liu

10 Jun 2026

Is China giving up on denuclearising North Korea?

On his first visit to North Korea in seven years, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke of strategic cooperation, without mentioning denuclearisation, which used to be part of the conversation. Is the topic now off the table, or merely put aside for the time being? Journalist Kang Gwiyoung finds out more.

Kang Gwiyoung

09 Jun 2026