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Richard Maude considers the implications of the complete collapse of defense diplomacy between the US and China.

The US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) was launched by US President Joe Biden during his trip to Tokyo in May 2022. It seeks to establish rules covering areas from data protection to carbon emissions. Its founding members comprise 14 Asia-Pacific nations: Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US and Vietnam. Together they account for 40 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product.

Apart from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the civil war in Sudan, there are armed conflicts in 55 other countries. Geopolitical tensions are intensifying both at the global level and in key volatile regions such as the Gulf. In addition, the pressure of climate change is increasing and the food insecurity crisis is sharpening. Join SIPRI’s international Governing Board in a conversation on how to untangle this complexity and where to start.

The latest phone talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky was widely welcomed in the international community, and many voiced expectations that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

World Insights: Int'l community welcomes Xi-Zelensky phone talks, expects China's role amid Ukraine crisis-