China, Southeast Asia: Tributary acts.

Also: Also, Australia, Antarctica, Ukraine, Russia and democratic backsliding.

Section from Ten Thousand Nations Coming to Pay Tribute (wintertime version), unknown, c1761, ink and colour on silk, Palace Museum, Beijing.

CHINA. SOUTHEAST ASIA. Tributary acts.

Beijing has a freer hand to reclaim its backyard.

Diplomats from China and ASEAN renewed vows this week to agree a South China Sea 'code of conduct' by 2026. Japan's prime minis…