Labour has declined to say whether China will be classed as an enhanced-tier threat in the aftermath of the Westminster spy case collapse. The Government’s foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS), which came into full force this month, is designed to give Britain better tools to counter threats from hostile states.

China and Germany sought on Monday to downplay suggestions of rising tension between the world's second and third largest economies, after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul postponed his first trip to Beijing.

Beijing’s top diplomat yesterday told his Japanese counterpart he sees “positive signals” from Tokyo’s new leadership, after the country swore in a prime minister long viewed as a China hawk.

Increased geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing will exacerbate the long-existing rift between Brussels and Beijing.

The two leaders are set to meet for their first meeting of Trump's second term. Officials are optimistic on a "framework" for a climbdown in trade tensions. Expect TikTok and Taiwan to also feature in the talk.

The ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations and China on Tuesday signed an upgrade to their free trade agreement, which includes sections on digital, the green economy and other new industries, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said.

The original soft power couple from post-war China was a pair of giant pandas, Ping Ping and Qi Qi, sent to the Soviet Union in 1957 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution, which led to the establishment of the world’s first Communist state.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan's new administration to take a constructive "first step" in engaging with Beijing and to properly address sensitive issues such as Taiwan and wartime history.