Diplomacy

UK’s Starmer heads to China to repair ties as he navigates tensions with US

In the 12 months to the middle of 2025, China was Britain’s fourth-largest trading partner

The ebb and flow of China-US relations – whether veering towards confrontation or cooperation – will figure large in geopolitical dynamics for South-east Asia.
NEW GLOBAL ORDER

Decisive dynamics, diplomacy and dialogue: South-east Asia in the arc of uncertainty

Besides geopolitics at play, strategic trust and peace between Asean states are also being put to the test

The US is also demanding that Venezuela, led by interim leader Delcy Rodriguez (pictured), reduce its relationships with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba, ABC reported.

US tells Venezuela to cut ties with China and Russia, ABC says

Any move to cut ties would represent a full political realignment for the country

China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands with South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung in Gyeongju, South Korea, Nov 1, 2025. The upcoming visit marks the second meeting between the pair in just two months.

South Korea President Lee arrives in China amid rising regional tensions

His talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to cover trade, economic ties and security issues

Chinese tourists walk in the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, Nov 15, 2025. China has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, following a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Japan calls China’s travel warning unacceptable

CHINA’S recent warning to travellers to avoid Japan and for students already there to exercise caution is unacceptable, a Japanese government spokesperson said after Beijing ratcheted up its response ...

"(US President) Trump set up a call with (Japanese Prime Minister) Takaichi and advised her not to provoke Beijing on the question of the island's sovereignty”, the WSJ reported on Thursday.

Trump advises Takaichi not to provoke China on Taiwan: WSJ

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump advised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China over Taiwan’s sovereignty, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, after a diplomatic spat between T...

Domestically, Indonesia's strong stance on Gaza resonates deeply with its population. It also reinforces the government’s Islamic credentials without compromising its secular constitutional framework.
THINKING ALOUD

Indonesia’s support for the Gaza ceasefire: A strategic and moral imperative

Jakarta portrays a rising middle power seeking to shape, not merely respond to, international developments

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking in May at the Shangri-La defence conference in Singapore, warned that China was “credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.”

Pentagon chief Hegseth set to visit Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and South Korea

A key theme of Hegseth’s trip will be “America‘s focus on the Indo-Pacific, the Department’s priority theatre,” the Pentagon said

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has made clear moves to assert Indonesia’s strategic weight, strengthening trade and security ties.

As Prabowo marks one year in office, economy sputters, diplomacy gains

Analysts argue he is stamping Indonesia’s place on the global stage despite several domestic concerns

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon signing the Singapore - New Zealand CSP at The Pavilion, Government House Auckland in New Zealand on Oct 10.

Singapore, New Zealand elevate ties, commit to raising relationship to new heights

Asean currently has such CSP agreements with Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States, which are some of the dialogue partners of the regional bloc