In quick succession, US President Donald Trump has taken out two of Beijing’s closest allies: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

President Donald Trump relied on his gut and largely side-stepped diplomatic coordination as he made the decision to launch strikes on Iran with Israel.

Taikoo Li Sanlitun has recently gone through a luxe transformation teeing up a slew of high-profile luxury flagships.

U.S. President Donald Trump said his upcoming visit to China could be delayed as Washington presses Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The potential postponement comes amid growing tensions tied to the strategic oil shipping route and ahead of a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

From a new US maritime strategy to the Iran crisis, here are highlights from SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of March 2026.

President Donald Trump indicated a likelihood of postponing his upcoming trip to China until the Xi Jinping-led nation and other allies counteract Iranian disruptions in the Gulf. In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday,

Representatives from Beijing and Washington began their economic and trade talks in Paris on Sunday, paving the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing to meet Chinese

The escalating war, especially the attack on Iran's Kharg Island, has put Beijing in a panic mode - leading to drivers rushing to fill their vehicles' tanks and causing long queues at the gas stations.

A preference for strategic flexibility has left Beijing dependent on a narrow set of “allies” whose usefulness is limited – especially in times of crisis.