19 h. ago Beijing hoping for closer ties with Vatican as pope names first Chinese bishop

China said it was willing to promote better relations with the Vatican after the appointment of the first Chinese bishop under the new pope. On Wednesday, the Vatican said Pope Leo had named Joseph Lin Yuntuan, 73, as an auxiliary bishop in Fuzhou, capital of the southwestern province of Fujian, on June 5. The appointment continues an agreement reached under Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, that bishops must be approved by both sides. The announcement was made on the same day that Beijing...

Economics

4 d. ago China’s 4 core principles show way to peace in South China Sea, think tank says

A state-backed think tank has put forward China’s “four core principles” as a constructive framework for addressing disputes in the South China Sea, while blaming regional tensions on external actors who fuel rival claimants’ actions and weaken the “willingness for maritime cooperation”. “China has long been committed to managing tensions and differences with disputing parties, and exercising great restraint in disputes”, Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with state news agency Xinhua,...

Politics

7 d. ago With 50 years of history, Manila and Beijing should do better diplomacy

June 9 marks the 50th anniversary of Philippines-China relations, ties steeped in history but marred by friction in recent years. Sadly, an overemphasis on the intractable sea dispute has polluted broader connections, stunting economic cooperation and stigmatising people-to-people exchanges. This is irrational and unproductive. For Manila to make the sea row front and centre of ties is a tragedy of its foreign policy. For China to see its smaller neighbour as a mere pawn in its great power...

Politics

7 d. ago Opinion | With 50 years of history, Manila and Beijing should do better diplomacy

Opinion | With 50 years of history, Manila and Beijing should do better diplomacy  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago Beijing’s marine science diplomacy can calm South China Sea tensions

The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint in geopolitical tensions, but beneath its contested surface lies one of the planet’s most scientifically compelling marine frontiers. Home to an array of deep-sea ecosystems, hydrothermal vents, underwater mountain ranges and vast coral reef systems, the region is increasingly recognised as a natural laboratory for cutting-edge oceanographic research. Climate change, biodiversity loss and overexploitation are putting mounting pressure on marine...

Events

2 w. ago Opinion | Beijing’s marine science diplomacy can calm South China Sea tensions

Opinion | Beijing’s marine science diplomacy can calm South China Sea tensions  South China Morning Post

Events

2 w. ago How China’s maritime strategy is swapping force for research diplomacy

The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint in geopolitical tensions, but beneath its contested surface lies one of the planet’s most scientifically compelling marine frontiers. Home to an array of deep-sea ecosystems, hydrothermal vents, underwater mountain ranges and vast coral reef systems, the region is increasingly recognised as a natural laboratory for cutting-edge oceanographic research. Climate change, biodiversity loss and overexploitation are putting mounting pressure on marine...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Never right’: why there’s a war of words over Beijing’s English translations

America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio has made clear that he does not trust Beijing’s English translations of Chinese officials’ words – he says they are “never right”. The China hawk has instead urged his colleagues to go back to the original Chinese version of statements put out by Beijing to get a more accurate understanding of what is going on. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, appears to be the most powerful diplomat under President Donald Trump. He is the first person since Henry Kissinger...

Events

2 w. ago War of the words: why top US diplomat Rubio is lost in China’s translations

America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio has made clear that he does not trust Beijing’s English translations of Chinese officials’ words – he says they are “never right”. The China hawk has instead urged his colleagues to go back to the original Chinese version of statements put out by Beijing to get a more accurate understanding of what is going on. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, appears to be the most powerful diplomat under President Donald Trump. He is the first person since Henry Kissinger...

Politics

4 w. ago US urged to ‘meet China halfway’ as envoy Perdue arrives in Beijing amid trade truce

Trump ally David Perdue faces ‘complicated and urgent’ tasks as he assumes post as American ambassador to China, analysts say.

Politics

4 w. ago Beijing is a ‘red line’: Hungary vows it won’t decouple from China if pushed by Trump

‘Hungary is benefiting from these very intensive Chinese economic and trade relations. We’re not willing to give that up’: Budapest official.

Politics