Global Courant
Dear ST Reader,
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week in what a Chinese official described a “new beginning” for ties between the two great powers. Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the meeting was “an essential first step” in the long journey to resolve their deep differences. To decipher how the conversations went, it is crucial to read the fine print, associate editor Ravi Velloor says.
Beijing has been busy in Europe a major charm offensive in an attempt to influence the growing debate on the continent’s strategic attitude towards China, with Germany receiving special attention. But the reality – as world correspondent Jonathan Eyal puts it – is that both political and economic relations between the two trading giants have cooled considerably, with many Germans now questioning the principles of Berlin’s China approach.
In Malaysia, Prime Minister is Anwar Ibrahim courting the country’s young voters with free college education, hybrid learning and shorter courses. Meanwhile, several rising stars who were defeated in the last general election will be looking for a second chance at elected office. Malaysia Bureau Chief Shannon Teoh sums it up four key faces to watch on the comeback trail in upcoming state polls.
