The ‘Big Year'

From a possible Trump visit to growing tensions over the Taiwan question and Japan and war in the Middle East, China's top diplomat signals that 2026 could be pivotal for China's role in an increasingly turbulent world

A New Strategic Partnership?

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing signals a careful recalibration of Canada-China relations, expanding trade and strategic ties while navigating the constraints of Ottawa’s relationship with Washington

Journey to the East

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s January visit to China reflects London’s recalibration of bilateral ties and forms part of a broader wave of Western and European engagement with China amid shifting dynamics in transatlantic relations

Resetting Ties

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to China signals a strategic recalibration of China-South Korea relations, aiming to restore high-level dialogues, rebuild political trust and forge new economic cooperation amid shifting regional dynamics

Dialogue in a Fragmented World: Reflections from the Imperial Springs International Forum

Contingency or Provocation?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s framing of a Taiwan contingency as a threat to Japan’s survival is widely seen as a direct challenge to the post-World War II settlement, contradicting Japan’s longstanding political commitment that Taiwan is part of China