Category: International relations

Largest ever gathering of SCO family held in Tianjin

On August 31-September 1, immediately prior to China’s grand celebration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the north China coastal city of Tianjin, near to Beijing, hosted the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting.

These were the biggest gatherings to date in the SCO’s quarter century history, drawing more than 20 heads of state or government, along with the heads of 10 international organisations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

As we previously reported, at the latter meeting, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which aims at establishing “a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Presiding over the SCO Summit, President Xi delivered an important statement entitled, “Staying True to SCO Founding Mission and Ushering in a Better Future.”

He said that the SCO has established itself as a model for a new type of international relations. The organisation was the first to set up a military confidence-building mechanism in its member states’ border areas and the first to take multilateral actions against the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, thereby maintaining peace and tranquility in the region. The SCO was the first to launch Belt and Road cooperation, providing a robust driving force for development and prosperity and further improving the multidimensional connectivity network across the region. The SCO was the first to conclude a treaty on long-term good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation, and proclaim the member states’ commitment to forge lasting friendship and refrain from hostilities, bringing the hearts of the peoples closer to each other. The SCO was the first to put forth a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism, thus becoming a proactive force for world peace and development.

President Xi emphasised that the SCO has grown into the world’s largest regional organisation, and its international influence and appeal are increasing day by day. Looking ahead, the member states should carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, forge ahead with solid steps, and better tap into the potential of the SCO in the following five ways:

  • Seeking common ground while putting aside differences. SCO member states should respect their differences, maintain strategic communication, build up consensus, and strengthen solidarity and collaboration.
  • Pursuing mutual benefit and win-win results. SCO member states need to better align their development strategies and promote the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, improve trade and investment facilitation, enhance cooperation in such areas as energy, infrastructure, green industry, the digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, and artificial intelligence, so as to march toward modernisation hand in hand by bringing out the best in one another and working together for a shared future.
  • Championing openness and inclusiveness. SCO member states need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through people-to-people exchanges, firmly support one another in economic cooperation, and jointly cultivate a garden of civilisations in which all cultures flourish in prosperity and harmony through mutual enlightenment.
  • Upholding fairness and justice. SCO member states must promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and bullying practices, safeguard the UN-centred international system, support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and make the global governance system more just and equitable.
  • Striving for real results and high efficiency. SCO member states should continuously promote the reform of the Organisation, increase resources input and enhance capacity building to improve its institutional structure and make its decision-making more scientific and its actions more efficient, and provide stronger underpinnings for security and economic cooperation among them.

The leaders of the member states signed and issued the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, approved the SCO Development Strategy to 2035, released a statement on the victory of World War II and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, a statement on supporting the multilateral trading system, and adopted 24 outcome documents covering enhanced cooperation in security, economy, people-to-people ties, and organisational development.

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The Silk Road Tango: Can the elephant and dragon share one stage?

In the following article, Mayukh Biswas argues that India and China, in spite of ongoing tensions, have deep historical, cultural, and economic ties that position them as key actors in reshaping the global order, with much to gain from friendship and cooperation.

The article opens by noting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s embrace of Trump and the US’s long-term strategy to leverage India against China. The US side disrupted this process recently by imposing punitive tariffs on Indian imports, thereby exposing the limits of US–India alignment.

Globally, Mayukh situates India–China relations within wider shifts: Brazil’s leftward turn under Lula, Africa’s escalating resistance to neo-colonialism, and growing anger around the world at Western sanctions and militarism. BRICS and the other institutions of an emerging multipolarity offer a counterweight to US hegemony.

Tracing two millennia of exchange, the author highlights how Buddhism, science, mathematics, art, and trade linked India and China peacefully. From the Bandung Conference and Panchsheela to today’s BRICS, cooperation between the two countries has also made an important contribution to the construction of the Global South.

Yet political contradictions remain. The BJP’s ideological base fuels anti-China rhetoric, while Western powers exploit tensions through forums like the Quad, seeking to draw India into the US-led strategy of China containment. Despite this, India and China share overlapping interests: strengthening the Global South, addressing climate change, and resisting Western dominance.

Mayukh concludes that the “elephant and dragon” should choose the path of greater cooperation, helping to guide a more multipolar and peaceful global future.

Colonial “divide and rule” only breeds conflict. Long before Europe’s rise, India and China traded and exchanged culture. In the 21st century, this cooperation is vital for global peace.

Mayukh Biswas is former All India General Secretary of the Students’ Federation of India, current Communist Party of India (Marxist) West Bengal state committee member, and a researcher in International Relations at Jadavpur University.

The Modi government had left no stone unturned in praising Trump – from “Namaste Trump” to “Howdy Modi.” Not long ago, far-right Hindutva groups celebrated Trump’s birthday and even performed rituals for his victory. But despite all the theatrics, Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, the highest in Asia. This import duty, applied as “punishment” for buying cheap oil from Russia, will severely impact India’s leather, textiles, IT, and agriculture sectors, risking millions of jobs. 

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is the ideological lodestar of the ruling BJP, had supported Trump’s anti-Muslim policies, seeing his divisive moves align with their communal agenda; they thought Trump was their ‘long-lost brother.’ Now, Modi is in a deep dilemma. Meanwhile, despite their cold relations, China has made its stance clear. Chinese Ambassador Zhu Feihong tweeted in support of New Delhi: “Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile.” He highlighted how the U.S. weaponizes tariffs, violating UN and WTO rules to suppress other nations, destabilizing the world. 

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China proposes Global Governance Initiative

On Monday 1 September at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting in Tianjin, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which aims at establishing “a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity”.

He set out five guiding principles for the GGI:

  • Adhere to sovereign equality: all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, have their sovereignty and dignity respected; have the right to independently choose their social system and development path; and have the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance process as equals.
  • Abide by international rule of law: The purposes and principles of the UN Charter are universally recognised as the basic norms of international relations. International law and rules must be applied equally and uniformly, without double standards.
  • Practise multilateralism: Global affairs should be decided by all, the governance system built by all, and the fruits of governance shared by all.
  • Commit to a people-centred approach: The people of all nations are the fundamental actors in global governance, and their well-being is its ultimate benefit.
  • Focus on results: Effective global governance is essentially one that resolves real problems.

The proposal makes clear that the GGI is not about overturning the UN-based system or trying to create a parallel international order. Rather, it aims to improve the existing international system and make it more effective in addressing global challenges. In his speech announcing the initiative, Xi Jinping observed that “while the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remain unchanged, Cold War mentality, hegemonism and protectionism continue to haunt the world”, and noted that new threats and challenges to peace and development are emerging.

The GGI concept paper notes some important deficiencies in global governance that need to be urgently addressed:

  • First, serious underrepresentation of the Global South. “The collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries necessitates boosting the representation of the Global South and redressing historical injustice.”
  • Second, erosion of the UN’s authority, particularly due to unilateral measures and violations of international law taken by some countries.
  • Third, the need for greater effectiveness. Urgent issues such as climate change, the digital divide, AI regulation and cyberspace need to be effectively managed within a global framework.

The concept paper insists:

We must stand firmly on the right side of history, and join hands with all progressive forces in the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity and make relentless efforts for mankind’s noble cause of peace and development.

The GGI is the fourth major initiative proposed by China, following the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), which collectively aim to foster global development, peace, friendship, understanding and cooperation. Xinhua reports that Russia, Cuba, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Nepal and Venezuela – as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres – have already stated their support for the initiative.

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Putin: Russia and China are united in our vision of building a just, multipolar world order, with a focus on the nations of the Global Majority

We are pleased to republish below the full text of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interview with Xinhua News Agency, conducted on the eve of his visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tianjin Summit and the commemorations in Beijing for the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

The interview touches on a wide range of important issues, including Russia-China relations, the global balance of power, the significance of the SCO, and the lessons to be learned from the Second World War.

On the issue of the Global Anti-Fascist War, Putin notes:

The peoples of the Soviet Union and China bore the brunt of the fighting and suffered the heaviest losses. It was our citizens who endured the greatest hardships in the struggle against the invaders and played a decisive role in defeating Nazism and militarism. Through those severe trials, the finest traditions of friendship and mutual assistance were forged and strengthened – traditions that today form a solid foundation for Russian–Chinese relations.

I would remind you that even before the full-scale outbreak of the Second World War, in the 1930s, when Japan treacherously launched a war of aggression against China, the Soviet Union extended a helping hand to the Chinese people. Thousands of our career officers served as military advisers, assisting in strengthening the Chinese army and providing guidance in combat operations. Soviet pilots also fought bravely alongside their Chinese brothers-in-arms.

He adds:

The historical record leaves no doubt as to the scale and ferocity of those battles. We remember the great significance of the famous Hundred Regiments Offensive, when Chinese Communist forces liberated a territory with a population of five million from Japanese occupation. We also recall the unparalleled feats of Soviet troops and commanders in their clashes with Japan at Lake Khasan and the Khalkhin Gol River. In the summer of 1939, our legendary commander Georgy Zhukov won his first major victory in the Mongolian steppes, which in effect foreshadowed the later defeat of the Berlin–Tokyo–Rome Axis. In 1945, the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation played a decisive role in liberating northeast China, dramatically altering the situation in the Far East and making the capitulation of militarist Japan inevitable.

And, correctly remembering the crucial role played by China in the defeat of fascism and militarism and the birth of the modern international order, he states:

In Russia, we will never forget that China’s heroic resistance was one of the crucial factors that prevented Japan from stabbing the Soviet Union in the back during the darkest months of 1941–1942. This enabled the Red Army to concentrate its efforts on crushing Nazism and liberating Europe. Close cooperation between our two countries was also an important element in forming the anti-Hitler coalition, strengthening China as a great power, and in the constructive discussions that shaped the post-war settlement and helped to reinvigorate the anti-colonial movement.

Putin observes that, in the West, there are ceaseless attempts to rewrite the history of the Second World War, to downplay the role of the Soviet Union and China in the victory over fascism, and to whitewash the crimes of fascism and militarism. “Historical truth is being distorted and suppressed to suit their current political agendas. Japanese militarism is being revived under the pretext of imaginary Russian or Chinese threats, while in Europe, including Germany, steps are being taken towards the re-militarisation of the continent, with little regard for historical parallels.”

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World leaders to gather in China to mark victory in anti-fascist war

China will stage a massive military parade on September 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and 26 heads of state or government will attend on the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

This was announced by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei on August 28.

China’s official listing foregrounds Russian President Vladimir Putin and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) top leader Kim Jong Un. With Kim also being joined by the Presidents of Vietnam, Laos and Cuba, this represents an unprecedented gathering of the heads of state of all five presently existing socialist countries.

The presidents of all five of China’s Central Asian neighbours – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – will also attend, as will the leaders of Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan, meaning that nine of the 15 former republics of the USSR, who collectively waged the Great Patriotic War against Nazism, will be represented at top level. Other national leaders from countries with a long and significant history of friendship with China, include those from Cambodia, Mongolia, Nepal, Zimbabwe, the Republic of Congo, Iran, Serbia and Slovakia, the last mentioned being the only member of the European Union and NATO to be represented at top level.

Besides those mentioned above, China’s southeast Asian neigbours will also be represented by Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar (meaning that six of the ten members of the Association of South East Asian Nations, ASEAN, will be represented at top level), while Pakistan and the Maldives join Nepal in representing China’s South Asian neighbours.

In addition, at the invitation of the Chinese government, heads of parliaments, deputy prime ministers and high-level representatives from various countries, heads of international organisations, and former political dignitaries will also attend the V-Day commemorations.

Announcing the participation of Kim Jong Un, Hong Lei said that China and the DPRK are traditional friendly neighbours. He noted that during the arduous years of war, the Chinese and DPRK people supported each other and fought side by side against Japanese aggression, making important contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and humanity’s just cause. He further said that safeguarding, consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations is the firm stance of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government, adding that China stands ready to continue working with the DPRK to enhance exchanges and cooperation, and advance socialist development.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) also announced Kim’s China visit.

Hong also said that President Putin’s attendance at the commemoration events further highlights the high level of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and underscores their unity in safeguarding the victorious outcome of World War II. He stressed that China and the Soviet Union, as the main battlefields of World War II in Asia and Europe, respectively, served as pillars in the fight against militarism and fascism 80 years ago and made immense national sacrifices.

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Friendship with Pakistan is cornerstone of China’s regional diplomacy

Following his visits to India and Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his regional tour of South Asian countries, with a series of important meetings in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on August 21.

Co-chairing the Sixth Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Wang Yi said that China and Pakistan are devoted friends tested by adversity and are also trustworthy and reliable ironclad friends. China will continue to prioritise Pakistan in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, countering terrorism, achieving unity and stability, accelerating development and revitalisation, and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. Wang Yi congratulated Pakistan on assuming the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for July, upholding justice for developing countries and enhancing Pakistan’s international standing and influence.

He added that China is working with neighbouring countries to promote the building of a neighbourhood community with a shared future. China is ready to make joint efforts with Pakistan to fully implement the important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders, make good preparations for high-level exchanges in the second half of the year, ensure that the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future continues to take the lead in the building of a neighbourhood community with a shared future, better benefit the people of both countries, and play a demonstrative role in safeguarding regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. China is ready to work with Pakistan to create an upgraded Version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), strive to build a growth corridor, a livelihood-enhancing corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor and an open corridor, focus on the three key sectors of industry, agriculture, and mining, build and operate the Gwadar Port well, ensure the smooth passage of the Karakoram Highway, and promote the CPEC into a new stage of high-quality development. China is ready to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in areas such as information technology, cybersecurity, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Mohammad Ishaq Dar thanked China for its steadfast support to Pakistan over the years, saying that as the international situation is undergoing profound changes, the strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China is timely and a concrete embodiment of the ironclad friendship between the two countries. Pakistan and China have strong political mutual trust, and bilateral relations have reached new heights, becoming a model for state-to-state relations. Friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and a consensus shared throughout the nation. Pakistan upholds the one-China principle and firmly supports China without hesitation on all issues concerning China’s core interests.

Following their dialogue, the two Foreign Ministers jointly met the press.

Wang Yi said that South Asian countries have a long history, splendid civilisation, large population, and huge development potential. They are China’s close neighbours linked by mountains and rivers, and also an important direction for China to build a community with a shared future in its neighbourhood. Stressing that he felt the immense development potential and resilience of South Asia following this visit to India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Wang Yi said the 21st century should be an era of accelerated development and revitalisation for Asia, especially South Asia.

He added that although India, Afghanistan and Pakistan have different national conditions, they all recognise that development is the top priority and the broadest consensus among them, as well as among all countries in the region. A peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia serves the common interests of all parties and meets the aspirations of the people of all countries. In the face of pressure from unilateral and bullying acts, the three countries all believe that they should adhere to multilateralism, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and strive to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.

Wang Yi emphasised that China pursues a policy to foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighbourhood, adheres to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and upholds the vision of a shared future. China has always been committed to fostering mutual respect, mutual understanding, and mutual trust with South Asian countries, and helping each other succeed. China and South Asian countries are natural partners, with broad space for cooperation. Despite ups and downs, China-India relations have a long history and increasingly demonstrate a clear historical logic. The China-Pakistan friendship has withstood the test of time, become as strong as steel, and gained stronger internal impetus. The relationships between China and Pakistan, China and India, as well as China and other neighbouring countries, are not directed against any third party and are not subject to any third-party influence. The building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future is at the forefront of China’s building a community with a shared future with neighbouring countries, setting an important example. The building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will not only benefit the people of the two countries but also extend to Afghanistan and other countries.

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China extends a hand of friendship to Afghanistan

Following his successful visit to India, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi flew to Kabul, Afghanistan, for a series of meetings on August 20.

Wang Yi participated in the Sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue together with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Wang Yi said that since the trilateral foreign ministers’ dialogue mechanism was resumed in Tunxi, Anhui Province in 2022, the three sides, based on the principles of mutual respect, equal-footed consultation and mutual benefit, have continuously advanced cooperation in the fields of politics, development and security, safeguarded regional peace and tranquility, and responded to various risks and challenges. He added that China is ready to work with Afghanistan and Pakistan to deepen good-neighbourliness and mutual trust, render mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other’s core interests, and firmly oppose interference by any external forces in the region, as well as any organisation or individual engaging in acts within their countries that undermine the national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the other sides.

He noted that China and Pakistan have been at the forefront of the international community and regional neighbours in helping Afghanistan restabilise and rebuild the country and expand its foreign exchanges. China will continue to uphold justice for Afghanistan on multilateral occasions, encourage the international community to engage with Afghanistan in a constructive manner, and support Afghanistan in advancing the normalisation of its diplomatic relations. The three sides should expand development cooperation, increase trade and investment exchanges, strengthen the building of connectivity networks, and enhance people-to-people bonds. And they should improve the security dialogue mechanism, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, intensify efforts to combat transnational terrorist activities, and eradicate the breeding ground of terrorism by addressing both symptoms and root causes on the basis of consensus. It is important to uphold the principle of indivisible security, respect each other’s legitimate security concerns, and blaze a path of cooperative and common security.

 Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed the attendance of the Chinese and Pakistani foreign ministers at the dialogue and thanked China and Pakistan for their steadfast support for Afghanistan on the international stage. He said that given the profound changes in the current international and regional situation, Afghanistan hopes to take this meeting as an opportunity to deepen friendly relations, strengthen coordination and collaboration, and work for greater development of trilateral cooperation.

Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan, China and Afghanistan share close historical, cultural and economic ties, and that trilateral cooperation enjoys great potential. The three sides should jointly advance their partnership, and enhance cooperation in trade, the Belt and Road Initiative, connectivity, counter-terrorism and other areas to achieve common development. As a neighbouring country of Afghanistan, Pakistan is willing to make greater contributions to the peace process in Afghanistan and to improving the livelihood of the Afghan people. Pakistan also called for the unfreezing of Afghanistan’s overseas assets.

Meeting with Wang Yi, Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund asked him to convey his cordial greetings to Chinese leaders. He said that the Chinese government and people have always held a friendly and positive attitude towards Afghanistan, and thanked China for speaking up for Afghanistan on the international stage. China is a force for justice in the world and is consistently committed to friendly cooperation with Afghanistan and other countries for common development and progress. History has shown that those countries attempting to interfere in other nations’ affairs will only suffer the consequences, while those pursuing friendly policies will achieve success. This is China’s unique strength. Afghanistan does not wish to and will not create trouble for other countries. Afghanistan looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China to advance a positive and sustainable friendly relationship. Afghanistan will never allow any force to use its territory to threaten China and will always stand firmly with China.

Wang Yi conveyed the kind greetings of the Chinese leaders and said that China-Afghanistan exchanges have spanned thousands of years, and the two countries have always maintained friendly relations. He noted that throughout history, imperialists, colonialists and hegemonists have all attempted to invade Afghanistan but all have failed, and such schemes will not succeed in the future. The world should not be one where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Every country, including Afghanistan, has the right to achieve development and revitalisation.

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Wang Yi’s visit turns the corner on relations with India

As we recently noted, relations between China and India have lately been seeing significant improvement. This process has now been qualitatively accelerated with the August 18-20 New Delhi visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

On August 19, Wang Yi met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Modi asked Wang Yi to convey his cordial greetings to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and expressed his anticipation of visiting China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tianjin Summit, to be held end August, and meet with President Xi Jinping. (This will be Modi’s first visit to China in seven years.) India will fully support China’s work as the rotating chair of the SCO to ensure the complete success of the Summit.

The Prime Minister said that both India and China are ancient civilisations, and they have enjoyed a long history of friendly exchanges. The meeting between the leaders of the two countries at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, last October marked a turning point for the improvement and development of bilateral relations. India and China are partners, not rivals, and are facing the common task of accelerating development. The two sides should also properly manage and settle boundary questions, so that differences will not evolve into disputes.

Modi added that that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China. Both sides should view bilateral relations from a long-term perspective. India-China cooperation is indispensable for the advent of an Asian century. Working hand in hand, the two sides will contribute to world development and benefit all humanity.

Wang Yi said that the successful meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Kazan last October has provided guidance for the resumption and a new start for China-India relations. This has not come by easily and should be cherished. He added that his visit to India, upon invitation, to attend the Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question also serves to prepare for high-level exchanges between the two countries. Through comprehensive and in-depth communication, in terms of bilateral relations, the two sides have agreed on restarting dialogue mechanisms across various fields, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, upholding multilateralism, jointly addressing global challenges, and opposing unilateralism and bullying acts. On boundary questions, the two sides reached new consensus on conducting normalised management and control, maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, properly handling sensitive issues, and initiating boundary delimitation negotiations in areas where the conditions are met.

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Myanmar peace and reconciliation discussed in four-party talks

During the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was held in Anning, in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, on August 15 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held an important quadrilateral meeting on the sidelines, together with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, which was focused on the situation in Myanmar and its implications for the country’s immediate neighbours.

Wang Yi said that China, Laos, and Thailand, as friendly neighbours of Myanmar, have a better understanding of Myanmar’s unique national conditions and are more eager to see Myanmar restore stability, achieve national reconciliation, hold an open and fair general election, and pursue a development path suited to its national conditions and supported by its people. Since the first quadrilateral meeting last year, the situation in Myanmar has generally stabilised, and efforts are underway to advance post-earthquake reconstruction and safeguard its sovereignty, independence and national stability. He called for adhering to a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” approach, supporting the choices of the Myanmar people, and resolving differences through dialogue. The Chinese Foreign Minister also stressed the importance of mediation by ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations) and assistance from neighbouring countries, with ASEAN serving as the main channel, while also giving full play to mechanisms like the Informal Discussion between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting among the Neighbouring Countries of Myanmar. He further urged prioritising people’s livelihoods and development, supporting Myanmar in improving people’s well-being and post-earthquake reconstruction, and promoting cooperation in various fields for people’s benefit, while warning against improper interference by external forces that could undermine regional stability.

The Myanmar side expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided by China, Laos and Thailand, as friendly neighbouring countries, in addressing challenges. It reiterated its commitment to advancing the domestic peace and reconciliation process through political dialogue and stated that it is actively preparing for an open and transparent general election at the end of the year to return power to the people.

The Lao side expressed its support for a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” political process and for Myanmar’s general election to achieve peace, stability and national reconciliation.

The Thai side stated that the Myanmar issue is an internal affair of the country, and the international community should respect the choices of the Myanmar people.

The following article was originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On August 15, 2025, China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand held an informal discussion between foreign ministers in Anning, Yunnan. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Foreign Minister of Myanmar Than Swe, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa were present.

Wang Yi said that China, Laos, and Thailand, as friendly neighbors of Myanmar, have a better understanding of Myanmar’s unique national conditions and are more eager to see Myanmar restore stability, achieve national reconciliation, hold an open and fair general election, and pursue a development path suited to its national conditions and supported by its people. Since the first quadrilateral meeting last year, the situation in Myanmar has generally stabilized, and efforts are underway to advance post-earthquake reconstruction and safeguard its sovereignty, independence and national stability. Wang Yi called for adhering to a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” approach, supporting the choices of the Myanmar people, and resolving differences through dialogue. Wang Yi stressed the importance of mediation by ASEAN and assistance from neighboring countries, with ASEAN serving as the main channel, while also giving full play to mechanisms like the Informal Discussion between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting among the Neighboring Countries of Myanmar. He also urged prioritizing people’s livelihoods and development, supporting Myanmar in improving people’s well-being and post-earthquake reconstruction, and promoting cooperation in various fields for people’s benefit, while warning against improper interference by external forces that could undermine regional stability.

The Myanmar side briefed on the domestic situation and preparations for the upcoming general election, stating that since the last meeting, the domestic situation in Myanmar has generally deescalated and stabilized. The Myanmar side expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided by China, Laos and Thailand, as friendly neighboring countries, in addressing challenges. The Myanmar side reiterated its commitment to advancing domestic peace and reconciliation process through political dialogue, and stated that it is actively preparing for an open and transparent general election at the end of the year to return power to the people.

The Lao side expressed its support for a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” political process and for Myanmar’s general election to achieve peace, stability and national reconciliation.

The Thai side stated that the Myanmar issue is an internal affair of the country, and the international community should respect the choices of the Myanmar people. The general election is an important step in Myanmar’s political transition. Thailand is willing to work with other ASEAN countries to provide support and assistance for the smooth progress of Myanmar’s general election based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

The four foreign ministers exchanged views on joint efforts to combat cross-border crimes. Wang Yi pointed out that combating cross-border crimes bears on the well-being and safety of the people, represents a common concern of the four countries, and requires coordinated action. Since the last meeting, the four parties have closely cooperated, strengthened border control, and achieved notable results in jointly combating cross-border crimes. However, the regional security situation is still not optimistic, requiring continued coordinated efforts. First, strengthen conceptual guidance and institutional building to implement the Global Security Initiative. Second, strengthen joint operations and border control to block any attempt by lawbreakers to commit cross-border crimes. Third, strengthen capacity building and judicial coordination, and enhance publicity, education, and law enforcement training. Fourth, strengthen transformation development and social governance, coordinate security and development, continuously improve local socioeconomic conditions, and eradicate the breeding ground for illicit and gray industries.

The four parties agreed to continue to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation, step up efforts to combat cross-border crimes, including online gambling, telecom fraud, drug and weapon trafficking, and human trafficking, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

Mekong Foreign Ministers meet in China’s city of peace and harmony

On August 15, 2025, the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Anning, in China’s southwestern Yunnan province.

The LMC is a cooperation mechanism, founded a decade ago, that groups China with five of its close southeast Asian neighbours who all share the Mekong River.

Following the meeting, Chinese Foreign Wang Yi and his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa, as co-chairs of the gathering, jointly met the press to brief on its outcome.

Wang Yi said that over the past decade, the building of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Economic Development Belt has made a smooth start. Trade between China and the five Mekong countries has reached 437 billion US dollars, an increase of 125 percent. Both hard and soft connectivity of regional infrastructure have been strengthened, industrial and supply chain cooperation has deepened, and the Innovation Corridor has become a new highlight of development.

He added that the six Lancang-Mekong countries, as a natural community with a shared future, have gained invaluable experience from a decade of cooperation. In the face of multiple international and regional challenges, the key to the robust growth of the LMC lies in adherence to four principles: first, uphold good-neighbourliness, friendship and a shared future; second, focus on development and pragmatic cooperation; third, ensure benefits for the people and remain open and inclusive; fourth, pursue innovation as the driving force and implement pilot projects.

As the day also marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s unconditional surrender in World War Two, Wang Yi further said that he would like to state clearly China’s position on this very day. Eighty years ago today, Japan was defeated, accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and announced its unconditional surrender. The war of aggression waged by Japanese militarists at that time inflicted catastrophes not only on the people of China and other Asian countries, but also on the people of Japan. A series of international documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly defined Japan’s responsibility for the war and required that Japan return all the territories it had stolen from China, including Taiwan. This is an indisputable outcome of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and constitutes an important part of the post-war international order. Yet to this day, certain forces in Japan are still trying to whitewash or deny the aggression, distort or falsify history, and even honour the war criminals and justify their crimes. Such despicable and disgraceful actions bring shame upon themselves, and challenge the United Nations Charter, the post-war international order, human conscience, and all the people of the victorious countries. Only by facing up to history can respect be earned; only by drawing lessons from history can a future be forged; only by remembering the past can straying onto the wrong path again be avoided.

The previous day, Wang Yi had held a trilateral gathering as well as bilateral exchanges with all five of his counterparts.

He held a ‘tea chat’ with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, providing an opportunity to discuss the current Thai-Cambodian border dispute in a friendly and candid way.

‘Tea chats’ are playing an increasing role as an arm of Chinese diplomacy as ‘tea culture’ is deeply embedded not only in Chinese society but also in many other countries in east and southeast Asia.

Wang Yi stated that neither Cambodia nor Thailand wants the border conflict to continue, and both are willing to resume dialogue and improve relations. The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Anning has provided an opportunity for this. The name “Anning” signifies peace, harmony, and amity, which is also the way neighbours should get along.

The Chinese side is ready, in line with the wishes of Cambodia and Thailand, to provide support and assistance for the clearing of mines and other activities in the border areas of the two countries. As an old Chinese saying goes, “Brothers may quarrel within the family, but they stand together against outside threats.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported five outcomes from the chat, including that:

  • Cambodia and Thailand have expressed their commitment to strengthening engagement and communication, resuming normal exchanges at the earliest time, and rebuilding and enhancing mutual trust. 
  • Cambodia and Thailand are encouraged to build up conditions for returning to normality in the border areas, so as to live up to the expectations of the people living there.
  • Based on the wishes of Cambodia and Thailand, China stands ready to continue its constructive role, including providing support and assistance for de-mining in the border areas agreed by both Cambodia and Thailand.

Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son, Wang Yi stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the founding of the United Nations, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South. During the years of pursuing national independence and liberation, China and Vietnam treated each other with sincerity and stood together to provide mutual assistance, forging a deep friendship featuring the spirit of being both “comrades and brothers”. In the course of China’s reform and opening up, as well as Viet Nam’s Doi Moi reforms, the two countries have supported each other and moved forward hand in hand, blazing socialist paths towards modernisation suited to their respective national conditions. Facing profound changes unseen in a century, China is ready to work with Vietnam to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen strategic mutual trust, implement the outcomes of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Vietnam, jointly build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, ensure that China-Vietnam mutually beneficial cooperation brings greater benefits to the peoples of both countries, and make due contributions to regional peace and stability.

Continue reading Mekong Foreign Ministers meet in China’s city of peace and harmony

FBI upgrade enmeshes New Zealand in anti-China war plans

In the following article, which was originally published on Consortium News, Mick Hall analyses how the recent visit to New Zealand by Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s far-right Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where he announced a significant upgrade in the bureau’s local presence, will further enmesh the twin island South Pacific nation in the anti-China machinations of the Anglo-Saxon ‘Five Eyes’ espionage cabal.

Speaking in the capital Wellington on July 31, Patel was clear as to the main purpose of his visit: “Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together – countering the CCP [Chinese Communist Party].”

The upgraded presence will also oversee FBI activities in Antarctica, Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands and Tonga, as well as in New Zealand itself.

The day after Patel’s comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned that “cooperation between countries should not target any third party.”

He added: “Seeking so-called absolute security through forming small groupings under the banner of countering China does not help keep the Asia-Pacific and the world at large peaceful and stable.”

New Zealand’s main opposition Labour Party questioned why the office was needed and said more information would be sought before commenting further.

Other opposition parties were more outspoken. Addressing demonstrators outside the US Consulate in Auckland on August 2, representatives of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Pati Maori (representing the country’s indigenous people), drew cheers after vowing to have the office shut down.

Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick had posted on social media that the opening of the office signalled New Zealand was “tying itself to an increasingly unstable Trump administration.”

“We are not, nor should we allow ourselves to be, pawns in a power struggle between the US and China.”

Hall observes that: “The Wellington upgrade is a sign of increasing Western focus on the Asia-Pacific region. The US and Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partners Australia and New Zealand have been preparing for war with China… [but] as many analysts observe, the real threat is the rise of multipolarity, as Western neocolonial hegemony is challenged by the expanding BRICS trading group, led by China, Russia and emerging nations in the Global South. The Asia-Pacific region is relatively peaceful, with an increasing BRICS presence dovetailing with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an organisation of 10 countries in Southeast Asia, promoting economic, political, and security cooperation.”

The opening of a Federal Bureau of Investigations standalone office in New Zealand has caused widespread opposition, sparking a protest outside a U.S. consulate and vows by opposition parties to have it closed.

F.B.I. Director Kash Patel announced his organisation’s upgraded presence in the South Pacific nation on July 31, during a visit to Wellington, standing alongside senior government officials in its parliamentary building, The Beehive.

He told media:

“Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together — countering the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] in the Indo PACOM theatre, countering the narcotics trade, working together against cyber-intrusions and ransomware operations and, most importantly, protecting our respective citizenry.”

The F.B.I. operates legats, or legal attaches, across the world, allowing the organisation to coordinate with domestic law enforcement agencies, government officials and intelligence partners. The bureau has maintained a presence in Wellington since 2017, with its main regional office based in Australia’s capital, Canberra, since 1999.

Continue reading FBI upgrade enmeshes New Zealand in anti-China war plans

Beyond victory: Rethinking WWII’s legacy in a fractured world

We are pleased to publish below an original article by Wu Yanni, a Beijing-based political commentator and contributor to Chinese and international media, arguing that the lessons of World War II remain relevant – and indeed urgent – in today’s geopolitical context.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the founding of the United Nations, Wu stresses that the war’s devastation—100 million casualties worldwide, including 35 million Chinese lives—is a sobering reminder that militarism “leads not to greatness, but to ruin.” For China, the 14-year resistance against Japan became both a struggle for survival and part of the foundation of its modern nationhood.

A central theme is the danger of selective memory. Wu critiques attempts in Japan to downplay atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre or Unit 731, a secret research facility in Heilongjiang, northeast China, where criminal and inhumane experiments were carried out on Chinese, Russian, Korean and other prisoners. Globally, she warns, invoking distorted history to justify present-day militarism and aggression undermines the spirit of the UN Charter and runs counter to the multipolar trend.

The article highlights the overlooked role of the Global South in the war: India’s 2.5 million volunteer soldiers, African and Latin American contributions, and Brazil’s combat role. These experiences have been marginalised and largely ignored in Western historical accounts. Wu writes:

As soldiers returned home, many questioned why they had fought for freedom abroad while being denied basic rights at home. From Vietnam to Ghana to Indonesia, national liberation movements accelerated. The 1955 Bandung Conference, where newly independent nations charted a path toward nonalignment and sovereignty, marked a turning point.

Today, however, “the Global South is no longer a silent object of history. From BRICS cooperation to African-led development frameworks and Latin American regionalism, formerly marginalised voices are demanding a say in shaping global rules.”

Wu Yanni concludes by recounting China’s peaceful rise and its consistent orientation towards inclusive development and multilateral cooperation. As such, China is helping to truly apply the lessons of WWII, “building a future where peace is sustained not by dominance but by cooperation, equity, and respect”.

War and peace have always shaped the trajectory of human civilization. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the broader World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the founding of the United Nations.

Eighty years ago, nations came together in the wake of unprecedented devastation to chart a new path for global peace. China, along with the Soviet Union, was among the first to sign the UN Charter, an act symbolizing a shared hope that the horrors of fascism would never be repeated.

The price of that hope was staggering: over 100 million casualties, with half of humanity drawn into the conflict. For China, the war was not just a battleground against foreign invasion; it was a pivotal moment in its modern nationhood. The 14-year resistance against Japanese aggression, which cost 35 million Chinese military and civilian lives, held the Eastern Front and helped shape the moral foundation of the postwar international order.

Looking back from today’s fractured and uncertain world, the lessons of that war remain painfully relevant. Militarism, no matter how technologically advanced or ideologically justified, inevitably breeds destruction. Dominant narratives that claim moral superiority cannot contain the rising currents of multipolarity. Real peace cannot be achieved through alliances defined by exclusion. It requires a shared commitment to inclusion, fairness, and mutual respect.

Continue reading Beyond victory: Rethinking WWII’s legacy in a fractured world

Chinese Ambassador recalls wartime solidarity between Chinese and British people

On August 15, which marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the Second World War, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang published an article in the Guardian newspaper entitled, ‘China and Britain shared a mission to fight aggression and fascism. And we can work together today’.

Ambassador Zheng wrote: “At the darkest hour of the Second World War, China and the UK fought on different fronts but shared a common mission: to defend humanity against fascism and aggression. Millions of lives were lost, cities razed, and families torn apart. Yet in that darkness, courage and solidarity illuminated the way forward. The Chinese and British peoples stood shoulder to shoulder, united by sacrifice and a shared belief in freedom and justice.”

Among the examples he cites:

  • In Asia, Chinese forces made immense sacrifices to support Allied efforts. In 1942, the Chinese Expeditionary Force marched over 1,500 gruelling kilometers through the jungles of Myanmar to rescue British forces trapped by Japanese troops.
  • In Britain, thousands of Chinese seamen served with quiet courage in perilous convoys. They braved the freezing Atlantic to deliver fuel and supplies to British forces on the front lines – often with little recognition and no promise of return. [In fact, thousands of them were shamefully deported after the war in an act of egregious racism by the Labour government that tore families apart forever.]
  • In October 1942, when the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese transport vessel carrying over 1,800 British prisoners of war, was mistakenly torpedoed by a US submarine… local fishermen risked their lives, dodging volleys of Japanese gunfire, to rescue 384 survivors from the sea.
  • Across the UK, ordinary citizens formed aid organisations, held fundraisers, and sent donations to support the Chinese people.
  • George Hogg, a young man from Harpenden (a one-time reporter for the Manchester Guardian) [the precursor of today’s Guardian]… journeyed to China to provide schooling and shelter for displaced children, dedicating his youth, passion and ultimately his life to a just cause. His internationalist spirit remains deeply cherished by the Chinese people. 

“History has shown,” Zheng Zeguang writes, “what China and the UK can achieve when we stand together. As we commemorate this historic anniversary, China stands ready to work with the UK to carry forward the legacy of those who came before us.”

The following is the full text of the Ambassador’s article as reproduced on the website of the Chinese Embassy in London.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war. There will be a two-minute silence at 12 noon in the UK to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. This is a moment not only for solemn remembrance, but also for reflection on the enduring bonds forged in the crucible of history—bonds that continue to resonate in our world today.

At the darkest hour of the second world war, China and the UK fought on different fronts but shared a common mission: to defend humanity against fascism and aggression. Millions of lives were lost, cities razed, and families torn apart. Yet in that darkness, courage and solidarity illuminated the way forward. The Chinese and British peoples stood shoulder to shoulder, united by sacrifice and a shared belief in freedom and justice.

Continue reading Chinese Ambassador recalls wartime solidarity between Chinese and British people

Trump makes BRICS great again

As Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump prepare to meet in the current US state and former Russian territory of Alaska on August 15 for talks centred on the conflict in Ukraine, they do so against a wider diplomatic background of engagements among the Global South, with BRICS+ in the lead, and triggered not least by the indiscriminate bullying tactics on the part of Trump.

Faced with the shameless bullying and arbitrary economic punishment beating on the part of the United States, not least in support of Trump’s fascist friend, former President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has conducted telephone diplomacy to coordinate positions with his Chinese, Russian and Indian counterparts.

On August 12, President Xi Jinping spoke with President Lula for one hour, at the latter’s request.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Brazil relations are at their best in history, with a good start and strong momentum in building the China-Brazil community with a shared future and aligning development strategies. China is ready to work with Brazil to seize opportunities, strengthen coordination, deliver more mutually beneficial cooperation outcomes, set an example of uniting for strength among major Global South countries, and build a more just world and sustainable planet.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva briefed on Brazil’s current relationship with the United States and Brazil’s principled stance on firmly safeguarding its sovereignty. He appreciated China’s efforts to uphold multilateralism and free trade rules, and its responsible role in international affairs. Brazil is ready to enhance communication and coordination with China within BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, oppose unilateralism and bullying acts, and safeguard the common interests of all countries.

Xi Jinping said that China supports the Brazilian people in defending national sovereignty and supports Brazil in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests. Countries should unite in unequivocally opposing unilateralism and protectionism. The BRICS mechanism is an important platform for building consensus in the Global South. He congratulated Brazil on successfully hosting the BRICS Summit. Global South countries should join hands to uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard the basic norms governing international relations, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Their conversation was preceded by an August 6 call between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazilian Chief Advisor to the Presidency Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim, again at the latter’s request.

Wang Yi said that China resolutely supports Brazil in defending its state sovereignty and national dignity and opposes groundless interference in Brazil’s internal affairs by external forces. China firmly supports Brazil in protecting its development rights and interests and resisting the bullying practices of arbitrary tariffs. China firmly supports Brazil in strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South through the BRICS mechanism and promoting strength through unity among developing countries. Using tariffs as a weapon to suppress other countries runs counter to the purposes of the United Nations Charter and undermines WTO rules. Such practices will win no support and cannot be sustained. China is ready to work with Brazil to fully implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, deepen bilateral cooperation, enrich the strategic dimension of the China-Brazil community with a shared future, and effectively offset external uncertainties through the stability and complementarity of bilateral cooperation.

Celso Amorim noted that the profound friendship, strong mutual trust, and fruitful pragmatic cooperation between the two countries are truly commendable. Brazil is willing to work with China to fully implement the common understandings reached between the two heads of state and deepen cooperation in various fields such as trade and finance. The United States’ imposition of high tariffs on Brazil has disrupted normal economic and trade relations and interfered in Brazil’s internal affairs, which Brazil firmly opposes. Brazil thanks China for its steadfast support and is willing to work with China to promote the improvement and development of the BRICS mechanism, enhance solidarity and self-strength among the Global South, and uphold international fairness and justice.

What is also noteworthy is that relations between China and India are significantly improving.

On August 13, the financial news service Bloomberg reported that, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is drawing closer to the BRICS countries after US President Donald Trump hit the South Asian nation with a 50% tariff.

“Modi’s latest move is to resume direct flights with China as soon as next month, said people familiar with the negotiations who asked for anonymity to discuss private matters. The deal could be formally announced when Modi is expected to head to China for the first time in seven years and meet leader Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held in Tianjin from Aug. 31…

“Modi’s economic calculus was fundamentally altered this month when Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as a penalty for its purchases of Russian oil. The US president’s remarks that India’s economy was ‘dead’ and its tariff barriers ‘obnoxious’ further strained relations.”

The report added: “The Adani Group [of billionaire Gautam Adani, currently facing a US court indictment] is exploring a tieup with Chinese EV giant BYD Co. that would allow… Adani’s conglomerate to manufacture batteries in India and extend its push into clean energy, according to people familiar with the matter.”

Moreover, prior to his Alaska visit, Vladimir Putin also had a telephone conversation with Xi Jinping on August 8, at the request of the Russian President.

President Putin briefed Xi Jinping on Russia’s views on the current situation of the Ukraine crisis and the recent contact and communication between Russia and the United States, adding that Russia highly appreciates the constructive role China has been playing in the political settlement of the crisis. He stated that the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China will not change under any circumstances.

Xi Jinping said that no matter how the situation evolves, China will maintain its consistent position and continue promoting talks for peace. China welcomes contacts between Russia and the US to improve bilateral ties and advance the process of realising a political settlement of the crisis.

Both sides said they will make concerted efforts in preparation for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tianjin Summit to ensure a successful gathering of friendship, solidarity and fruitful results.

This call was one of a number made by the Russian President to brief and discuss with friendly leaders in the Global South ahead of his meeting with Trump. They include – in the order reported by the Russian President’s website – the leaders of South Africa, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, India, Brazil, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Continue reading Trump makes BRICS great again

Chinese and Russian diplomats celebrate anti-fascist victory in DPRK

Chinese and Russian diplomats in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) jointly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on July 31.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun said that 80 years ago, China and the Soviet Union fought side by side and supported each other, won the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Great Patriotic War on their respective battlefields, and made significant historical contributions to the victory of the world anti-fascist war. In May this year, President Xi Jinping attended a celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War. In September, President Putin will also attend the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora congratulated the Chinese people on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, saying that the Russian and Chinese peoples made the greatest sacrifices in the European and Pacific theatres respectively and played a decisive role in the struggle to defeat German Nazism and Japanese militarism.

The following article was originally published in Chinese on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the DPRK and has been machine translated.

On July 31, 2025, Ambassador Wang Yajun and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Matsegora led diplomats from the Chinese and Russian embassies in the DPRK in a friendly exchange event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The event was attended by Minister Feng Chuntai of the Chinese Embassy in the DPRK, Defense Attaché Major General Wang Yisheng, Counsellor Gao Wu, and Counsellor Xu Feng, as well as Minister Counsellor Topeha, Defense Attaché Major General Batusov, and Political Counselor Shutov of the Russian Embassy in the DPRK.

Ambassador Wang stated that 80 years ago, China and the Soviet Union fought side by side and supported each other, achieving victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Great Patriotic War on their respective fronts, making significant historical contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. In May of this year, President Xi Jinping attended the celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War. In September, President Putin will also attend the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. China is willing to work with Russia, guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to remember history, cherish the memory of the martyrs, promote a correct view of World War II history, safeguard the achievements of World War II and the post-war international order, and uphold international fairness and justice and regional peace and stability.

Ambassador Matsegora congratulated the Chinese people on the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. He stated that the Russian and Chinese peoples made the greatest sacrifices in the European and Pacific theaters, respectively, and played a decisive role in defeating German Nazism and Japanese militarism. Russia has always advocated peace and hopes to create a peaceful and stable environment for economic development and improving people’s livelihoods. The international community should work together to build a just and peaceful international order and ensure equal rights for all nations and peoples.

The two sides jointly watched a video commemorating the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the victory of Russia’s Great Patriotic War. Chinese and Russian diplomats respectively recited the poem “The Eternal Torch” and sang the song “Blood Type” to express their remembrance of history and their cherishment of peace.

Chinese Consulate marks a decade of building friendship with Northern Ireland

On July 21, China’s Consul General in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Li Nan published a signed article entitled ‘A Fruitful Decade Marks a New Phase of China-NI Relationship’ in the Irish News newspaper, celebrating the consulate’s 10th anniversary.

Li Nan acknowledges the important role played by the late senior Sinn Féin leader Martin McGuinness in the establishment of the consulate:

“Ten years ago, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Northern Ireland and together with then Deputy Minister Martin McGuinness and Finance Minister Arlene Foster, witnessed the inauguration of the Chinese Consulate General in Belfast… Since then, the relationship between China and Northern Ireland has entered a new chapter.

“Over the past decade, from sincere mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation to strong people-to-people exchanges, the Consulate General has worked hand in hand with all sectors of NI society to continuously elevate local exchanges and cooperation.”

Updating the story, Li Nan writes: “In recent years, H.E. Zheng Zeguang, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, has visited Northern Ireland twice, meeting with the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister, the Speaker of the Assembly, and representatives from various sectors. He also attended China–UK/NI forums on new energy and education in 2023 and 2024 respectively, promoting the deepening of practical bilateral cooperation. In 2024, H.E. Qibatu, Vice Chairman of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, visited Northern Ireland to explore opportunities for expanding agricultural cooperation. In 2025, H.E. Wu Yan, Vice Minister of Education of China, led a delegation to Northern Ireland and held in-depth discussions on enhancing high-level educational cooperation.”

Northern Ireland has established sister-province relations with Hubei and Liaoning, along with seven sister-city relations, including those between Belfast and Shenyang, Derry/Londonderry and Dalian, and Fermanagh and Huangshi.

On the economic front, China is Northern Ireland’s second-largest import market and its 12th-largest export market. Bilateral trade has reached and stabilised at around £1 billion for several consecutive years, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality.

“Well-known companies, including Lakeland Dairies, Cranswick Country Foods Ballymena, Old Bushmills Distillery, and Mallaghan Engineering Ltd, have maintained close ties with the Chinese market, with their exports continuing to grow steadily. Chinese brand BYD’s electric vehicles can now be seen on the streets of Northern Ireland, while specialty products from Northern Ireland, like whiskey, pork, and dairy products are making their way onto Chinese dining tables.”

Continue reading Chinese Consulate marks a decade of building friendship with Northern Ireland

Chinese Ambassador reaffirms special relationship with Tanzania

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian has strongly reaffirmed the historic friendship between the two countries.

Addressing a late July reception celebrating the 98th anniversary of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) she stated:

“I would like to avail this opportunity to honour the deep, broad and robust relations between China and Tanzania. China has always regarded Tanzania as our best friend and placed the development of friendly relations with Tanzania in an important position in our foreign relations. China-Tanzania traditional friendship is forged by our older generation of leaders of the two countries, including Chairman Mao Zedong and President Julius Nyerere. From the struggles for national liberation, to the pursuit of national rejuvenation, and to the march towards modernisation, we have always stood together through thick and thin, and supported each other, thus tightening our bilateral bond stronger and stronger and pushing our bilateral relations higher and higher.”

She also said: “This celebration is a venue to review the history of the Chinese PLA, which was created by the Communist Party of China on 1st August 1927. During the past 98 years, the Chinese PLA has made indelible achievements in realising national independence, liberating the Chinese people, and making China prosperous and strong. In recent years, China’s PLA has been steadfast on the way to realise the centenary goal in 2027. It has intensified troop training and enhanced combat preparedness across the board, accelerated the transformation and upgrading of military training, strengthened new-domain forces with new combat capabilities, and enhanced the ability to win informatised and intelligent warfare.”

The previous week, in an interview with Tanzania’s Guardian newspaper, Ambassador Chen said: “The recent development of China-Tanzania relations comes from our common past. The special relationship can date back to the leadership of the founding fathers of our two nations. We will never forget how Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, and Vice President Abeid Karume nurtured our unbreakable traditional friendship with sincerity and good faith in the old days. From then on, China and Tanzania share a long-standing strong relationship built on mutual respect and mutual trust. No matter how the international situation changes, no matter what challenges we face, and no matter what kind of disturbance and disruption we encounter, the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania has withstood the test of time and is getting stronger with time.”

She also recalled that President Xi Jinping visited Tanzania right after assuming office (along with Russia, the Republic of Congo and South Africa).

The Guardian also posted the video of the interview and reported the reception for the PLA anniversary.

The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania and are reprinted here from that of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Speech of Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian at the Reception in Celebration of the 98th Anniversary of Chinese PLA

July 25 (MFA) – Honorable Lieutenant General Salum Haji Othman, Chief of Staff, Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces,
Honorable Rear Admiral Hassan, Tanzania Navy Commander,
Honorable Major General Kodi, Chief of Logistics and Engineering, TPDF,
Honorable Major General Ibuge, Commandant of Tanzania National Defence College,
Excellencies,
My Fellow Chinese Nationals,
Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Habari za jioni!

Continue reading Chinese Ambassador reaffirms special relationship with Tanzania

China and Iran consolidate ties in face of US-Israeli aggression

A Chinese international relations scholar has outlined the broad prospects for further consolidation and development of bilateral friendly relations with Iran.

Writing in the Tehran Times on August 4, Dr. Jin Liangxiang, Senior Fellow at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS), noted that China-Iran mutual political trust has reached a new and higher level since last October’s meeting between the two heads of state on the sideline of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.

When Iran faced outright aggression from Israel and the United States in June, China promptly expressed its solidarity, with President Xi Jinping putting forward a four-point peace proposal, Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking with his Iranian counterpart twice within 12 days, and introducing a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in the United Nations Security Council, together with Russia and Pakistan.

Dr. Jin further notes that China and Iran, as two great nations with ancient civilisations, have long histories of resilience in the face of adversity and crisis. This shared legacy has fostered a deep-rooted aspiration for independence within their national identities – an outlook that leaves little room for illusions about Western hegemonic power.

However: “There used to be illusions for so-called Western liberal democracy in the two countries, which took it for granted that human rights would be protected. Some even had illusions that non-Western countries like China and Iran could be treated fairly, their legitimate rights could be regarded and national dignity could be respected.”

But US support for and European countries’ silence in regard to Israel’s genocide in Palestine, among other issues, had manifested fully the hypocritical nature of the policies of the West. “The illusions of the two [countries], though never mainstream, for the West had been shattered.”

As a result, as more people return to a realistic understanding of global dynamics, both nations are becoming increasingly resolute in advancing their relationship.

The relationship has been further institutionalised through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS. “Iran’s membership in the two institutions had greatly enhanced the legitimacy of the two institutions.”

Jin also points out that: “China has grown much more mature and confident in resisting America’s political and economic pressures. China and the US had conducted three rounds of negotiations on tariff issue respectively in Geneva, London and Stockholm from May to July 2025. No evidence suggested that China will make concessions facing US bluffing. China’s confidence in its face-off with the US will certainly be good news for China-Iran trade relations in short and long terms.”

Meanwhile, on July 30, Tehran Times reported Brigadier-General Mohammad Ahadi, Chief of Defence Diplomacy and International Relations of the Iranian Armed Forces, as stating: “I consider it necessary to acknowledge the fair positions of the Chinese government and other governments that, without fear of the hegemonic power of the West, took the lead in condemning the acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

He made the remarks at the Chinese Embassy in Tehran during a reception the previous day marking the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Continue reading China and Iran consolidate ties in face of US-Israeli aggression

Liu Jianchao visits Algeria

Following his recent visit to South Africa, where he attended the Liberation Movements Summit, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the Communist Party of China’s International Department (IDCPC), paid a visit to Algeria.

On July 28, he met with Abdelkrim Benmebarek, Secretary-General of the National Liberation Front (FLN) of Algeria.

Liu said, for a long time, China and Algeria have always stood firmly together in their respective struggles for national liberation and development. Seventy years ago, China and Algeria jointly promoted the formation of the Bandung spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation. The current global governance system is characterised by imbalance and disorder, with rising isolationism and neocolonialism, posing severe challenges to the development of the Global South countries. China is willing to work with Algeria to inherit and carry forward the Bandung spirit, enhance communication and coordination on international and regional issues, promote solidarity and cooperation among the Global South countries, and jointly address global challenges.

He added that the CPC and the FLN share similar ideas and have similar experiences in the struggle. Under the new circumstances, the CPC is willing to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state through inter-party channels, further enhance the level of cooperation between the two parties, increase political mutual trust and mutual understanding, and be fellow companions sharing the same ideals; strengthen political dialogue, deepen cooperation in areas such as party building and cadre training, and serve the cause of the two parties; promote exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields such as social organisations, media, think tanks and localities through the “political party +” platform, and promote greater development of China-Algeria relations.

Benmebarek said, the friendship between Algeria and China is close and solid and has been tested over time. The FLN and the CPC share similar views on many issues and have a common vision for maintaining international fairness and justice, which stems from our joint struggle for national liberation. The FLN values the brotherly friendship with the CPC and hopes to work with the CPC to keep pace with the times, comprehensively plan cooperation, and enhance personnel exchanges and ideological exchanges.

The next day, Liu met with Mustapha Haidaoui, President of the Supreme Youth Council and Minister of Youth of Algeria.

He said that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. The successful practice of Chinese modernisation demonstrates that modernisation is not the same as Westernisation, and that there are diverse paths to modernisation. China is willing to work with Algeria to uphold independence and self-reliance, pursue development paths that suit respective national conditions, and advance progress in modernisation progress. China, Algeria, and other developing countries should strengthen solidarity and cooperation to safeguard the common interests of the Global South countries and promote a more just and equitable international order.

Liu noted that young people are the future and the hope of the country. The CPC has always attached great importance to youth work. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly encouraged young Chinese people to carry forward the spirit of struggle and contribute their strength to Chinese modernisation in the new era. The CPC is willing to work with the Supreme Youth Council of Algeria to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state on the China-Algeria comprehensive strategic partnership, intensify exchanges and cooperation between young politicians, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, strengthen mutual learning of experience in state governance and administration, and strengthen strategic coordination in politics, economy, science and technology, so that the younger generations of the two countries can take up the baton of the traditional China-Algeria friendship.

Haidaoui stated that the friendship between Algeria and China is unbreakable, and China is a strategic partner of Algeria. The aim of establishing the Supreme Youth Council is to empower young people, expand their participation in the country’s political, economic, cultural, and social life, carry forward the revolutionary legacy, and contribute to national development. The Supreme Youth Council has benefited greatly from the exchanges with the CPC and looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, and the international field, carrying forward the revolutionary friendship between Algeria and China, creating more positive conditions for all-round cooperation between the two countries, and helping build a better multipolar world.

On July 29, Liu visited the Tipaza Provincial Party headquarters of the FLN He said, the CPC is ready to carry forward the revolutionary friendship with the National Liberation Front, deepen exchanges of experience in grassroots party building, and empower both parties to lead their respective countries towards better development.

That day, he also met with two other Algerian political parties.

Continue reading Liu Jianchao visits Algeria

China strengthens party ties with Honduras

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has strengthened its friendly ties with the ruling Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) Party of Honduras.

On July 27, Ma Hui, Vice-Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met in Beijing with a LIBRE delegation led by Gerardo Torres, Secretary of International Liaison for the party and Vice Foreign Minister of Honduras.

Ma positively evaluated the benefits brought to the people of both countries by the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras. He said, the CPC and LIBRE had friendly exchanges before the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This visit is the first visit to China by a LIBRE delegation after the establishment of diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in the relations between the two parties.

China and Honduras established diplomatic relations on March 26, 2023. President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento paid a state visit to China from June 9-14, 2023.

The next day, Ma Hui met with a delegation from the Autonomous Community of Catalonia of Spain, led by Salvador Illa, Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and President of the Government of Catalonia.

Ma said that the CPC is willing to work with the PSOE to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance exchanges between the two parties, give full play to the role of the “political party +” platform, and support the practical cooperation between the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and China, so as to contribute to the healthy and stable development of China-Spain and China-European Union relations.

Illa said that the Autonomous Community of Catalonia will adhere to the friendly policy towards China of the Spanish central government and promote mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields, so as to achieve common development.

This was the second reported contact between the CPC and political forces in Catalonia in recent months. Our previous report may be read here.

And on July 29, Ma Hui met with a delegation of Chilean parliamentarians led by Gastón Saavedra from the Socialist Party (PS), and who is head of the labour and social security committee of the Chilean Senate, who were visiting China at the invitation of the National People’s Congress (NPC).

Ma positively evaluated the friendly relations between China and Chile, stating that exchanges between political parties are an important part of bilateral relations. The CPC has maintained close ties with Chilean political parties from both the ruling and opposition sides for a long time, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.

After the meeting, Ma Hui joined the Chilean delegation in participating in an exchange activity with teachers and students from Dingri in Xigaze City, Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, who were in Beijing for a program on the introductory journey into diplomacy of young people from Xizang.

We previously reported on Ma Hui’s visit to Nicaragua to participate in the anniversary celebrations of the July 19 Sandinista popular revolution. Following this, and prior to returning to Beijing, he led a CPC delegation to visit El Salvador, July 21-22, and Costa Rica, July 23-24.

The following articles were originally published on the IDCPC website.

Ma Hui Meets with a Delegation of the LIBRE Party of Honduras

Beijing, July 27th (IDCPC) —Ma Hui, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation of the Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) Party led by Gerardo Torres, Secretary of International Liaison for the Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) Party and Vice Foreign Minister of Honduras.

Ma positively evaluated the benefits brought to the people of both countries by the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras. He said, the CPC and the LIBRE had friendly exchanges before the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This visit is the first visit to China by a LIBRE delegation after the establishment of diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in the relations between the two Parties. China is willing to deepen exchanges of experience in state governance and administration with the LIBRE, enhance the breadth and depth of inter-party cooperation, and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Honduras relations.

Torres reaffirmed Honduras’ firm commitment to the one-China principle, and said that the LIBRE hopes to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in party building and state governance with the CPC, promote the development of bilateral relations, and better benefit the people of both countries.

Continue reading China strengthens party ties with Honduras