While lauded as a great diplomat, Henry Kissinger’s contributions were marked with controversies, notably in relation to Cambodia, Bangladesh and Chile. Commentator Jin Jianguo looks back at Kissinger's legacy from the prism of historical violence and injustice, and opines on why China's leadership portrays him as a "friend".
Foreign policy
Politics
Evidently caught between the two major powers, Vietnam has shown adept skill at diplomacy in recent years, along with its soft handling of China and the US, allowing Vietnam to benefit from both sides even amid geopolitical conflict. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong takes us through how Vietnam uses "bamboo diplomacy" to develop and reassure its diplomatic relations.
Society
China-US political tensions have been a key reason for the sharp decline in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, with study abroad programmes for US students to China halted and Confucius Institutes in the US closing down in droves. Some believe that China’s domestic policies are also to blame for the drop in American students’ interest. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Kang finds out more about the downward trend.
Politics
US researcher Wei Da says that while the Chinese fondly remember the late US diplomat and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as a friend of China, he was described as "outdated" by the Americans even in the early 1990s. Why was that so and how did Kissinger see China in the later years of his life? Wei Da explains how the Reagan doctrine came to triumph over Kissinger-style diplomacy in the US and why such rhetoric continues till this day.
Politics
Ahead of the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in Tianjin, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong shares his thoughts on Singapore-China relations, highlighting the need to renew and expand economic links, reimagine industries and reinforce close ties between the two countries.
Politics
Researcher Wei Da looks at three lessons that China needs to learn, from the Lushan Conference and breakup of the USSR, to the war in Ukraine. China cannot afford to make the same mistakes of the past and present, if it is to make itself a major power.
Politics
Concerns about a stronger Chinese engagement — following the unexpected security pact between China and the Solomon Islands in 2022 — rattled the US and its regional allies, Australia and New Zealand, into stepping up their engagements with the Pacific Island countries. Not unexpectedly, these island countries now find themselves beneficiaries of the competition for geopolitical influence even as they try to avoid being drawn into it.
Economy
This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Shanghai, China’s largest financial centre, has sent strong signals of the leadership’s emphasis on the country’s economic development. And it is clear from the itinerary the importance the higher-ups are placing on the three areas of finance, technology and livelihood. Nonetheless, Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong notes more research needs to be done before the introduction of more powerful policies that can turn the tide of the sluggish economy.
Politics
Love him or hate him, Dr Kissinger played a pivotal role in history, teeing up President Richard Nixon’s visit to China and the normalisation of US-China relations. Even when he left office, he continued to advocate for productive relations with China through engagement, and sought to explain Chinese diplomacy to Western audiences. Even as his admirers mourn the passing of a bygone era, it is now up to the young to take up the mantle of improving US-China relations.