UK

Britain can no longer treat China as optional

As US instability grows, Britain must rethink its China posture. Neither ally nor adversary, Beijing demands engagement with clarity, pragmatism and a strategy that reflects shifting global power, says UK academic Kerry Brown.

Kerry Brown

17 Apr 2026

Can Abenomics save Japan — or doom its next leader?

Japan’s economy faces mounting challenges as inflation rises and competitiveness declines. Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi is pushing to revive Abenomics policies, but with doubts over her leadership and the plan’s past shortcomings, economic recovery remains uncertain. Academic Zhang Yun examines the issue.

Zhang Yun

15 Oct 2025

Trump’s tariffs running out of steam?

US President Donald Trump’s global tariffs have not gone the way he expected, with China not buckling under pressure and prompting the US to initiate dialogue, while allies such as the UK are not taking sides. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan examines how the US is flagging in its efforts to keep up its tariffs in the face of resistance.

Yu Zeyuan

21 Apr 2025

The great wealth migration: Why the ultra-rich are fleeing Britain

Starting on 6 April 2025, the UK will abolish its Non-Domiciled Individuals (non-dom) tax status, a regime that has allowed the super-rich to avoid paying tax on overseas income for up to 15 years. For the ultra-wealthy, the message is clear: the party is over.

Caixin Global

21 Mar 2025

Keir Starmer: The leader Europe needs amid Trump’s chaos?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been on a roll recently, following several diplomatic wins with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the EU. With so many factors in his favour, will he be able to seize the opportunity to establish the UK as a regional leader? Writer Yue He Parkinson offers her thoughts.

Yue He Parkinson

11 Mar 2025

What went wrong with ‘broken’ Britain?

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang laments the decline of the UK, which harboured great dreams of being “Singapore-upon-Thames”. What led to this?

Goh Choon Kang

16 Jul 2024

UK Labour’s landslide win: Impact on UK-China ties?    

The Labour Party has argued that it will develop a “long-term and strategic approach” to managing relations with Beijing, but its approach may not be very different from the last government, says academic Zeno Leoni.

Zeno Leoni

09 Jul 2024

Why Japan is no closer to joining AUKUS

AUKUS, the Australia-UK-US alliance, is still far from admitting Japan as another member, not least because of cultural and security reasons, says Chinese academic Guo Bingyun.

Guo Bingyun

18 Jun 2024

Japanese academic: Why Japan should join AUKUS

Japan’s potential inclusion in AUKUS could bolster defence capabilities for all members, but China views it as a NATO-like expansion. Japanese academic Masafumi Iida discusses the issue.

Masafumi Iida

18 Jun 2024

Why AUKUS’s expansion is inevitable

Chinese military affairs commentator Song Zhongping thinks that AUKUS is turning into a new military organisation that promotes the exchange of advanced new military technologies and technological expansion. He explains why China is highly concerned about countries in the region and even NATO looking to be involved with AUKUS. 

Song Zhongping

30 May 2024

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

08 May 2024

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

15 Feb 2024