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Iran

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iran. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tehran

Head of State

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Head of Government

President Masoud Pezeshkian

Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, speaks at a daily briefing in Beijing in 2025. Photo: dpa

Diplomacy

Opinion | How China is making the most of the US’ faltering global leadership

As the US’ latest foreign adventures weaken American legitimacy, the world needs a political force that can act as a neutral arbitrator.

2 hours agovideocam

China-Russia relations

After China-US reset, Putin heads to Beijing for Sino-Russian strategic refresh

16 May 2026 - 7:16PMvideocam

India

Iran war fallout triggers massive biofuel shift across Asia

16 May 2026 - 8:59AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump leaves China after much pomp and pageantry, but little to show for it

US president’s much-anticipated summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing resulted in more fanfare than concrete policy change, analysts say.

16 May 2026 - 6:54AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One before departing Beijing on Friday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

US-China relations

AI supremacy, ‘secret police station’, Taiwan propaganda: 7 US-China relations reads

From China’s nuclear weapons to Trump’s summit entourage, here are highlights from our overseas correspondents in the first half of May 2026.

16 May 2026 - 4:00AM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

The Xi-Trump summit is over. What comes next in the US-China rivalry?

The US president’s trip to Beijing has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ and ‘historic’ but there are still many known unknowns in ties.

16 May 2026 - 12:16AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

What did American allies make of Trump’s trip to China to meet Xi?

The meeting in Beijing was watched around the world for clues on topics ranging from trade to Taiwan and rare earths.

15 May 2026 - 11:54PMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (second from left) is reportedly has reportedly been arranging calls with US President Donald Trump about his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Kyodo

US-China relations

As I see it | Beijing had already won before the Trump-Xi summit even started

There’s a lesson for the US president in Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in the early 19th century.

15 May 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers hunt for idled plants in Europe as they expand global influence

BYD, the world’s largest electric car maker, says it is in talks with Stellantis about using European marques’ idled assembly facilities.

15 May 2026 - 5:50PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Outside In | Xi-Trump summit aside, 2 meetings in Asia matter for global trade

As Trump travelled to Beijing for the kind of bilateral dealmaking he prefers, two groups have continued their multilateral efforts.

15 May 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

US tech bosses and officials attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14 as US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive. Photo: AP

China exports

Australian trade minister to visit China to secure fuel during Iran war crunch

Beijing tightened jet fuel exports after the war broke out, forcing Canberra to seek alternative suppliers.

15 May 2026 - 6:20PMvideocam

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell attends a press conference following a meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in May 2023, in Beijing. Photo:

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, May 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China right after the Trump-Xi summit.

15 May 2026 - 3:05PM

Britain

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

15 May 2026 - 2:45PMvideocam

Asian cinema

Review | Parallel Tales: Asghar Farhadi misfires with latest French excursion

This tale of voyeurism in Paris, starring Vincent Cassel, Virginie Efira and Isabelle Huppert, lacks any tension or romantic intrigue.

15 May 2026 - 1:58PMvideocam

Isabelle Huppert as Sylvie (left) and Adam Bessa as Adam in a still from Parallel Tales, directed by Asghar Farhadi.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

As Trump wraps up China trip, what will he and Xi take from historic summit?

Donald Trump concludes milestone China visit after Xi Jinping shows him around Zhongnanhai.

15 May 2026 - 9:52PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump are greeted by children during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Photo: Pool via EPA

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong maintains 2026 growth forecast at 2.5% to 3.5%

Government also raises headline inflation forecast for year to 2.6 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent projected in February’s budget.

15 May 2026 - 10:16PM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

After Xi-Trump, China tech stocks retreat as market weighs ‘fantastic’ deals

Mainland benchmarks slip as investors lock in profits following Beijing summit, while analysts say the lack of specific deal terms suggests a deterioration ‘freeze’.

15 May 2026 - 7:18PMvideocam

China travel

China’s hotel sector shines, poised to outperform through 2026 on strong demand

International hotel chains ride China’s travel rebound, posting gains as domestic demand and inbound flows strengthen.

15 May 2026 - 9:50AM

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan by Hilton. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

Editorial | Xi-Trump summit in Beijing heralds start of constructive, stable relations

Through the meticulously planned welcome ceremony and Xi Jinping’s remarks, Beijing has emphasised the importance of stable bilateral ties to the world.

15 May 2026 - 7:15AM

US-China trade war

The US-China trade war is entering a worrying new phase

The US and China are racing to roll out competing sanctions, rules and regulations, leaving firms trapped in a legal Catch-22.

15 May 2026 - 11:04AMvideocam

Brics

Opinion | Brics is less a structure than a sentiment

Despite lacking geopolitical alignment, Brics captures a prevailing mood among emerging economies that won’t fade away any time soon.

15 May 2026 - 7:36AM

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) and President Xi Jinping attend the 2023 Brics Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 24, 2023. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Xi-Trump summit day 1: everything you need to know from the meeting in Beijing

From an elaborate welcome parade to what the two leaders discussed, here is everything you need to know from Xi and Trump’s meeting in Beijing.

15 May 2026 - 7:28AM

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a banquet to welcome US President Donald Trump on his state visit to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump says Xi offered help on Iran as China seeks to keep Hormuz open

Chinese leader’s overture underscores how global issues are increasingly shaping US-China diplomacy and trade talks.

15 May 2026 - 6:16AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

How did the US and China tell 2 different stories about the summit?

Beijing highlights the need for stable ties and peace, while Washington focuses on fentanyl and agricultural products.

14 May 2026 - 11:20PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Macroscope | Trump-Xi summit puts US vulnerabilities on display

China weaponising rare earths turned the tables on Trump, showing how unprepared Western governments and firms were for a full trade war.

14 May 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Children greet Chinese President Xi Jinping (second right) and US President Donald Trump during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz crisis tarnishing copper production, raising costs, Chinese analysts say

China Minmetals Economic Research Institute says disruption of sulphur shipments through strait is having ripple effects on copper production.

14 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Imported sulphur is unloaded at a port in Nantong, Jiangsu province, in 2018. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Xi-Trump summit casts optimistic light on lingering tensions

The presidents of China and the United States focused on cooperation and potential trade, rather than tougher issues, as they opened the first day of talks in Beijing.

14 May 2026 - 5:00PM

India

Iran’s ‘anti-American’ rhetoric tests India’s balancing act at Brics meeting

Foreign Minister Araghchi seeks the bloc’s backing against US pressure in New Delhi, but India likely to prioritise de-escalation and trade.

14 May 2026 - 1:22PMvideocam

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Iran

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How China is making the most of the US’ faltering global leadership

As the US’ latest foreign adventures weaken American legitimacy, the world needs a political force that can act as a neutral arbitrator.

After China-US reset, Putin heads to Beijing for Sino-Russian strategic refresh

Iran war fallout triggers massive biofuel shift across Asia

Trump leaves China after much pomp and pageantry, but little to show for it

US president’s much-anticipated summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing resulted in more fanfare than concrete policy change, analysts say.

AI supremacy, ‘secret police station’, Taiwan propaganda: 7 US-China relations reads

From China’s nuclear weapons to Trump’s summit entourage, here are highlights from our overseas correspondents in the first half of May 2026.

The Xi-Trump summit is over. What comes next in the US-China rivalry?

The US president’s trip to Beijing has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ and ‘historic’ but there are still many known unknowns in ties.

What did American allies make of Trump’s trip to China to meet Xi?

The meeting in Beijing was watched around the world for clues on topics ranging from trade to Taiwan and rare earths.

As I see it | Beijing had already won before the Trump-Xi summit even started

There’s a lesson for the US president in Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in the early 19th century.

Chinese EV makers hunt for idled plants in Europe as they expand global influence

BYD, the world’s largest electric car maker, says it is in talks with Stellantis about using European marques’ idled assembly facilities.

Outside In | Xi-Trump summit aside, 2 meetings in Asia matter for global trade

As Trump travelled to Beijing for the kind of bilateral dealmaking he prefers, two groups have continued their multilateral efforts.

Australian trade minister to visit China to secure fuel during Iran war crunch

Beijing tightened jet fuel exports after the war broke out, forcing Canberra to seek alternative suppliers.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, May 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China right after the Trump-Xi summit.

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Review | Parallel Tales: Asghar Farhadi misfires with latest French excursion

This tale of voyeurism in Paris, starring Vincent Cassel, Virginie Efira and Isabelle Huppert, lacks any tension or romantic intrigue.

As Trump wraps up China trip, what will he and Xi take from historic summit?

Donald Trump concludes milestone China visit after Xi Jinping shows him around Zhongnanhai.

Hong Kong maintains 2026 growth forecast at 2.5% to 3.5%

Government also raises headline inflation forecast for year to 2.6 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent projected in February’s budget.

After Xi-Trump, China tech stocks retreat as market weighs ‘fantastic’ deals

Mainland benchmarks slip as investors lock in profits following Beijing summit, while analysts say the lack of specific deal terms suggests a deterioration ‘freeze’.

China’s hotel sector shines, poised to outperform through 2026 on strong demand

International hotel chains ride China’s travel rebound, posting gains as domestic demand and inbound flows strengthen.

Editorial | Xi-Trump summit in Beijing heralds start of constructive, stable relations

Through the meticulously planned welcome ceremony and Xi Jinping’s remarks, Beijing has emphasised the importance of stable bilateral ties to the world.

The US-China trade war is entering a worrying new phase

The US and China are racing to roll out competing sanctions, rules and regulations, leaving firms trapped in a legal Catch-22.

Opinion | Brics is less a structure than a sentiment

Despite lacking geopolitical alignment, Brics captures a prevailing mood among emerging economies that won’t fade away any time soon.

Xi-Trump summit day 1: everything you need to know from the meeting in Beijing

From an elaborate welcome parade to what the two leaders discussed, here is everything you need to know from Xi and Trump’s meeting in Beijing.

Trump says Xi offered help on Iran as China seeks to keep Hormuz open

Chinese leader’s overture underscores how global issues are increasingly shaping US-China diplomacy and trade talks.

How did the US and China tell 2 different stories about the summit?

Beijing highlights the need for stable ties and peace, while Washington focuses on fentanyl and agricultural products.

Macroscope | Trump-Xi summit puts US vulnerabilities on display

China weaponising rare earths turned the tables on Trump, showing how unprepared Western governments and firms were for a full trade war.

Hormuz crisis tarnishing copper production, raising costs, Chinese analysts say

China Minmetals Economic Research Institute says disruption of sulphur shipments through strait is having ripple effects on copper production.

Xi-Trump summit casts optimistic light on lingering tensions

The presidents of China and the United States focused on cooperation and potential trade, rather than tougher issues, as they opened the first day of talks in Beijing.

Iran’s ‘anti-American’ rhetoric tests India’s balancing act at Brics meeting

Foreign Minister Araghchi seeks the bloc’s backing against US pressure in New Delhi, but India likely to prioritise de-escalation and trade.

Opinion | How China is making the most of the US’ faltering global leadership

Review | Parallel Tales: Asghar Farhadi misfires with latest French excursion