Politics
Bridges, Not Barriers: How Xi Jinping Redefined Diplomacy at APEC
The eyes of the world turned to Busan this week as Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the APEC Summit their first face to face meeting in six years. It was more than just a diplomatic encounter; it was a moment that carried the weight of history and the hope of renewal.
After years of distance, the two leaders sat across from each other once again, aware that their words could influence the course of the global economy and the tone of international politics. In an era of rising tensions and fractured communication, this meeting signaled that the door to dialogue is still open and that engagement remains the only path toward stability.
President Xi Jinping arrived in Busan with a message of confidence, balance, and long term vision. He once again outlined China’s enduring philosophy: cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, and shared prosperity over zero sum rivalry. His words reflected a deep conviction that development is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all nations.
The tone of the conversation between the two leaders was described as frank, calm, and forward looking. Both sides recognized that their countries’ destinies are intertwined economically, strategically, and globally. Discussions touched upon trade, climate, and the need to restore stability to a world facing economic headwinds. The emphasis was not on competition, but on responsibility.
For President Xi, this was more than a bilateral engagement. It was a reaffirmation of China’s role as a stabilizing force in uncertain times a country that seeks to build bridges even when global politics tests their strength. His approach was anchored in respect, patience, and the belief that cooperation is not weakness, but wisdom.
Under President Xi’s leadership, China has emerged as a pillar of consistency and confidence in a rapidly changing world. While others resort to protectionism or isolation, Beijing has chosen the path of openness and reform. Initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative embody a vision where prosperity is shared, where growth is inclusive, and where nations, big or small, move forward together.
It is this steady, principled diplomacy that has earned President Xi recognition as one of the most influential leaders of the modern era. His call for a community with a shared future for mankind is not a slogan, but a roadmap for cooperation one that has guided China’s foreign policy and inspired confidence in developing countries seeking equitable partnerships. Xi’s vision has transformed China from a participant in globalization to a driving force for peace, stability, and progress across continents.
The Busan meeting was, in every sense, a win win situation for China and President Xi. By engaging constructively with Washington, Beijing demonstrated maturity, foresight, and strength showing the world that China’s diplomacy is guided not by confrontation but by confidence. The meeting reinforced China’s position as a responsible global player, capable of managing great power relations with balance and dignity. It also underscored that dialogue, when led with wisdom and patience, can turn challenges into opportunities for cooperation.
The timing of the meeting carried its own significance. Six years have passed since their last direct conversation. In that time, the world has changed dramatically pandemics, trade disruptions, and shifting alliances have reshaped international relations. Yet, in Busan, the image of the two leaders shaking hands again sent a quiet but powerful message: that communication is still stronger than confrontation.
For the Asia Pacific region, the meeting also reaffirmed APEC’s central role as a platform for dialogue and shared progress. Amid global uncertainty, Busan became a symbol of continuity a place where two of the world’s most influential nations showed that diplomacy can still triumph over discord.
Observers noted that President Xi’s words carried a tone of steady leadership and strategic optimism. His vision of a “community with a shared future for mankind” once again found resonance reminding the world that peace and prosperity must be pursued collectively, not competitively.
As the summit concluded, one message echoed beyond Busan: when China and the United States talk, the world listens and when they cooperate, the world benefits.
The Xi–Trump meeting in Busan may not have resolved every issue, but it rekindled something essential the willingness to understand, to engage, and to believe that dialogue can shape a better tomorrow.
In a time of uncertainty, that is perhaps the most important outcome of all.
A UK government minister on Friday said an investigation was underway after Britain’s Foreign Office was hit by a data hack in October.
“I can confirm that there was a hack related to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),” Trade Minister Chris Bryant said, playing down a report suggesting Chinese hackers had been involved.
The data hack comes after it emerged in July that a Ministry of Defence official accidentally leaked a document containing the names and details of almost 19,000 Afghans who had asked to be relocated to the UK.
The details of more than 100 Britons, including spies and special forces personnel, were also released.
Bryant said the latest incident was “fairly low risk”.
“We’ve been investigating since October since this happened, and we closed down the problem,” Bryant told BBC radio.
The Sun daily said it understood a cyber gang named Storm-1849, accused of targeting critics of Beijing, was behind the Foreign Office hack.
Asked if he could rule out Chinese involvement, Bryant said he did not know.
A government spokesperson added: “We have been working to investigate a cyber incident. We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously.”
Cyber gangs have previously targeted UK hospitals, the postal service, luxury brands and retailers.
- Noem says suspect entered via DV1 in 2017.
- USCIS ordered to pause programme immediately.
- Lottery awards up to 55,000 visas annually.
WASHINGTON: US homeland security chief Kristi Noem suspended a green card lottery on Thursday, saying it was used by the suspect in a mass shooting at Brown University.
Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national, is accused of bursting into a building at the Ivy League school on December 13 and opening fire on students sitting exams, killing two and wounding nine.
He is also accused of killing a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) two days later.
Noem wrote on social media that Neves Valente “entered the United States through the diversity lottery immigrant visa program (DV1) in 2017 and was granted a green card.”
“At President Trump’s direction, I am immediately directing USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program,” Noem wrote.
“This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country.”
Neves Valente was found dead by suicide after a days-long manhunt, police said on Thursday evening.
The US green card lottery grants up to 55,000 permanent resident visas annually to people “from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States,” according to the State Department.
To qualify, applicants must have at least a high school education or two years of training or work experience.
They also go through a vetting process that includes an interview.
Trump administration also intends to increase its efforts to strip some naturalised Americans of their US citizenship, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing internal guidance.
The USCIS guidance, which was issued on Tuesday, asks its field offices to “supply Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 denaturalisation cases per month” in the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, according to the newspaper.
The guidance comes as Trump has spent much of this year closing loopholes in the immigration system and throwing up roadblocks for people seeking to enter and stay in the country.
US President Donald Trump has carried out an aggressive immigration agenda, including imposing travel bans and an attempt to end birthright citizenship since January.
His administration most recently paused immigration applications, including green card and US citizenship processing, filed by immigrants from 19 non-European countries.
— With additional input from Reuters
Danger man Travis Head crunched his fourth century in as many Tests at Adelaide Oval Friday as Australia built a 356-run lead over England to stand on the brink of retaining the Ashes.
The hosts were 271-4 at stumps on day three of the third Test with Head on 142 and first-innings century-maker Alex Carey not out 52, taking the five-match series out of England’s reach.
England must win after crashing inside two days at the first Test in Perth and inside four in Brisbane, both by eight wickets.
But it appears to be an impossible task with the highest run chase at the ground 316 by Australia against England in 1902.
Head’s crucial ton, his 11th, came off a composed 146 balls although he almost didn’t get there, dropped on 99 by Harry Brook as impatience got the better of him.
He has now scored a century in four consecutive Tests on his home ground, following 140 against India last year and 119 and 175 against the West Indies.
Australia suffered an early setback in a tense 20 minutes before lunch after England were all out for 286 on the back of Ben Stokes’ gritty 83 in response to Australia’s first innings 371.
Bryson Carse trapped Jake Weatherald lbw for one and he walked without reviewing after the umpire lifted his finger, although replays showed the ball was pitching outside leg stump.
It gave England a glimmer of hope, but after the break Head slammed the door shut, cutting and chopping boundaries to all corners of the ground.
Marnus Labuschagne went for 13 when he edged Josh Tongue to Harry Brook at slip, with reviews showing it carried.
Usman Khawaja, who hit a defiant 82 in the first innings after his last-minute call-up for the ill Steve Smith, was a perfect foil for the more aggressive Head.
But on 40 he was undone by the spin of Will Jacks, caught behind, and Cameron Green followed soon after for seven, edging Tongue to Brook.
After getting through the nervous 90s, Head finally brought up his century with a four off Joe Root, taking off his helmet and kissing the turf before pumping his fists.
While not in the same vein as his match-winning 69-ball century in Perth, it was a critical knock, supported by Carey and aided by Stokes not bowling after his exploits with the bat.
Gutsy Stokes
After a woeful batting display on Thursday, Stokes and Jofra Archer kept England’s dreams alive with a stirring 106-run ninth-wicket stand.
They resumed at 213-8 in muggy conditions with Stokes not out 45 and Archer on 30.
Stokes, who suffered leg cramps and dehydration during his gutsy rearguard action in sweltering 40 Celsius heat on Thursday, brought up his slowest ever 50 in Tests, off 159 balls.
England’s Ben Stokes (L) and Jofra Archer run between the wickets on the third day of the third Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on December 19, 2025. — AFP
He kept plugging away but finally fell when Mitchell Starc took the new ball and bowled him, with Stokes one of the few players who showed the fight he had demanded before the game.
Archer was another, ably helping his captain.
The fast bowler was the last man out when caught by Labuschagne off Scott Boland for 51 — his highest Test score and a maiden half-century Boland ended with 3-45 while Pat Cummins took 3-69 in his first Test since July.
England’s woes began when openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, along with the under-performing Ollie Pope, departed in a 15-ball blitz on Thursday at the hands of Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
Harry Brook showed some resistance with 45, but the Australian attack was relentless.
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