President Xi’s state visit to Russia marks a new high-point for warming Sino-Russian ties. The joint statements released at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum call for even greater economic coordination to spur development, to match the political support that China and Russia have offered each other.

Sino-Russian relations today are closer than ever before, in the face of increased US pressure on both countries, particularly to contain China. While the two powers have stopped short of a formal military alliance, their cooperation seems set to strengthen despite US efforts.

Trump’s recent UK visit seemed to be a diplomatic success — but US-UK ties face serious tension. From concerns about Trump’s “America First” nationalism, to US demands on trade and technology policy, Anglo-American relations seem less “special” than ever before.

Whining about China and starting a unilateral trade war is not a winning strategy. If China stumbles, the world will tumble.

The Trump administration’s rash policies, combined with China’s persistent rise, have combined to grow Chinese influence and shrink the US footprint in the Asia-Pacific. But China must be sure to respect the interests of ASEAN countries and other regional stakeholders in crafting the norms and procedures for a new rules-based order in the region.

While unable to alter Duterte’s diplomatic strategy towards China, the influential and largely autonomous Philippine defense establishment is conducting a parallel China policy of its own. The result is a dualistic foreign policy, combining both engagement and deterrence.

Considering the Sino-US trade war to be a mere quibble over tariffs and deficits misses the big picture: the clash of these two economic titans threatens not only bilateral relations, but also global prosperity and even the peaceful world order that has prevailed since World War II.

As America’s China policy turns from engagement to competition, Beijing must face facts: Trump or no Trump, the US has reached bipartisan consensus on containing China. How should Beijing respond? Where will the current confrontation lead? In crafting a new strategy towards the US, China must consider the ultimate goal of its rise, and how America fits into the big picture.

Under Trump the US has moved towards warmer relations with Russia to counterbalance China’s rise. But existing legislative constraints—along with ongoing points of US-Russian enmity over Ukraine, election interference, and nuclear issues — make short-term détente unlikely.

A senior U.S. State Department official’s inflammatory comments about a “Clash of Civilizations” reignited debate about how to view history and differing cultures. The Conference on Asian Civilizations Dialogue, hosted in Beijing this May, offered a more level-headed and equitable path to understand civilizational differences.