International relations

Lin Liyun was born in Taiwan, grew up in Japan, and eventually found herself in the company of none other than Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, as she interpreted for them at various events and occasions. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao gathered Lin’s oral history, and now sets out her fascinating story.

Much has been said about BRICS potentially expanding its membership to countries such as Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain and Indonesia. Indonesian academic Siwage Negara explains the draw of joining BRICS from Indonesia’s perspective.

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang notes that while talk of decoupling has changed to de-risking, the strategic intent behind it, targeting China, has not changed. But just relying on allies is not the best solution, and countries in Asia affected by the tide of de-risking would need to work together to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing was arranged through mutual agreement rather than an invitation from China, and it remains to be seen what will come out of it. Will there be any consensus reached, and what does this mean for future China-US relations?

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang says the recent non-dialogue between China and the US at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore shows the two countries’ very different interpretations of maintaining the status quo, and their differing strategic goals. Moreover, the growing rivalry between both sides will bring spillover effects to the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Japanese academic Shin Kawashima notes that the joint statement following the G7 Summit in Hiroshima was clearer than before when it comes to China, stating that the G7 is ready to engage directly with China, and making clear that there is no intention of hindering China's development, while also sending a message to China on military and trade regulations.

Malaysian academic Benny Teh assesses that the recent G7 summit in Hiroshima was a show of Japan’s more assertive role in international diplomacy in the face of greater threat perceptions, not least from China. In inviting a host of other countries that could further its ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ agenda, it sought to open dialogue that could help build a bulwark against rising alternative groupings courting the global south.

China’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs Li Hui's trip to Europe and Russia to discuss the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis could be a historic milestone for China, says academic Yuan Hang. The country has far played a marginal role in the shaping of European security affairs in the past century, but this could all change if recent approaches are sustained.

Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Peter Ong assesses that the world is moving away from globalisation as friction between countries have led to the need for self-sufficiency and “friendshoring”. Modern history has shown the ills of such moves, but then again, isn’t the worst human failing that of forgetting history?