SCMP Overseas Correspondents' Highlights: China Trade Policy, Putin's China Visit, Dutch Warship Incident
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SCMP reports on EU's tougher China trade policy, Putin's visit to Beijing post-Trump, and China's military driving away a Dutch warship from the Paracel Islands, citing 'miscalculation'.
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Why It Matters
The South China Morning Post highlights key global relations stories from May 2026. These include the EU's adoption of a stricter trade policy towards China, Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing shortly after Donald Trump's, and a naval confrontation where China's military drove away a Dutch warship.
From ‘miscalculation’ by the Dutch navy to China on Iran mediation, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in May 2026
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Published: 10:00pm, 2 Jun 2026
We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation
The European Commission agreed on a tough new approach to trade relations with China in May, at a rare Beijing-focused debate among Brussels’ leadership. The trade-focused orientation debate is seen internally as the firing of a starting gun ahead of an intense period for China policy.
Read the full story here.
2. Russian leader Vladimir Putin arrives in China just days after Donald Trump’s visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a visit aimed at deepening the two sides’ comprehensive partnership, four days after the Chinese capital hosted US President Donald Trump.
Read the full story here.
3. China slams ‘provocative acts’ after driving Dutch warship away from Paracels
China’s military said that it had used measures including electronic interference to drive away a Dutch warship near the disputed Paracel Islands, and in a rare move accused the Dutch navy of triggering “miscalculation”.
Open Questions
- What specific measures will the EU implement in its new China trade policy?
- What are the details of the 'comprehensive partnership' Putin and Chinese leadership aim to deepen?
- What was the exact nature of the 'miscalculation' by the Dutch navy as alleged by China?
- Will there be further diplomatic or military repercussions from the Paracel Islands incident?
