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649 articles matching the search query.
The China Agenda for September 4–10 — ASEAN and G20
This is what’s on the diplomatic, political, and business agenda for the week of September 4–10.
China’s Pacific Island push is all about Taiwan
China has been growing its influence in the Pacific Islands. But its diplomatic deals in the region hinge on Taiwan.
Editor’s note for February 10, 2023
A note for Access newsletter readers from Jeremy Goldkorn.
Editor’s note for February 9, 2023
A note for Access newsletter readers from Jeremy Goldkorn.
Australia and New Zealand hint at stronger economic ties with China
China is the largest trading partner to Australia and New Zealand. And that’s clearly top of mind for the leaders of both countries, despite pressure from their Western security allies to get tough on Beijing.
Editor’s note for February 7, 2023
A note for Access newsletter readers from Jeremy Goldkorn.
Editor’s note for December 21, 2022
A note for Access newsletter readers from Jeremy Goldkorn
China and Australia signal warmer ties, but can the good vibes last?
Two high-level exchanges between China and Australia have signaled a thaw in yearslong tensions. The Australian foreign minister says she also brought up human rights and the cases of two Australians detained on apparently trumped-up charges.
China and the Anglosphere mend a few fences at G20
Softer words were exchanged between Xi Jinping and the leaders of Australia and the U.S., Britain’s leader may ease up on China, and the world seems like a slightly less dangerous place.
China and the U.S. talk at Shangri-La Dialogue, but do not resolve the tough questions
The Shangri-La Dialogue this past weekend helped ease China’s tensions with some countries, but the meetings also showed hardening positions on key issues like Taiwan.
Pacific islands decline to join China’s security pact
China’s foreign minister has had a warm welcome on his eight-nation tour of the South Pacific, but he did not get everything Beijing wanted.
Pacific palaver — Editor’s note for Friday, May 27, 2022
A note for Weekly newsletter readers from Jeremy Goldkorn.
Two deals, two world powers — China and the U.S. in the South Pacific
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi started his tour of the Pacific Islands to drum up support for a surprise regional pact, right after Biden called for a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
China goes head-to-head with Biden in the South Pacific
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced plans to visit eight Pacific Island nations this week, matching — or perhaps greatly outdoing — Biden’s recently unveiled economic and security plans for the region.
U.S., Australia Pressure Solomon Islands on China Military Pact
Australia urged the Solomon Islands to “consider not signing” the draft of a new security deal with China, after Australian Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja visited the islands amid growing pressure among Western nations to ditch the controversial pact.
Chinese trial of detained Australia journalist defers verdict
China deferred the verdict of Chéng Lěi 成蕾, the Australian journalist and former CGTN host charged with spilling state secrets, “hours after denying Canberra’s ambassador to Beijing entry to the hearing.”
Read more from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, and Bloomberg.
China strengthens ties in the Solomon Islands
Leaked documents detailing a new security pact between China and the Solomon Islands are a worry for Western allies.
Australia Plans Rare Earths Boost to Challenge China Dominance
Australia is set to announce $175 million for projects, including a new battery material refinery hub, to combat China’s rare earth dominance.
South Korea’s new president is a worry for Beijing
South Koreans have elected conservative Yoon Suk-yeol as their new president, and his hard line on national security could tilt Seoul away from Beijing and much closer to Washington.
Australia PM Scott Morrison Says China Silent on Navy Laser Incident
China has remained tight-lipped over a big laser, after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused a Chinese naval vessel of “an act of intimidation” for pointing a military-grade laser at an Australian surveillance aircraft. The move comes amid fraying ties between Australia and China in recent years over issues from investment to alleged foreign interference in Australia’s politics.
Lessons from Chinese government interference in Australia — 9DASHLINE
In Australia, “No one is suggesting that Chinese interference does not happen or can be readily ignored,” writes James Laurenceson, the director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney. “The task at hand is accurately defining the problem, right-sizing its scale, and responding effectively to the risk.”
The context: Australia media recently reported that “Chinese spies sought to fund candidates for Australia’s center-left Labor opposition party in an upcoming federal election but the plot was foiled by the national security agency,” per Reuters. See also a new Australian Strategic Policy Institute report with “a detailed analysis of how China has worked to build its political influence and build dependence through trade and economic ties with each Australian state and territory.”
‘Unprecedented hurdles’ for foreign journalists in China
The foreign press corp in China, still coping with the visa cancellations of early 2020, says that Beijing has only dialed up its harassment of journalists in China, including of Chinese staff at international news bureaus.
Australia seeks to join WTO talks on China-EU trade row
Australia wants to join the EU at the WTO, as Europe seeks to challenge the legitimacy of China’s trade restrictions against Lithuania, per Reuters. “Australia has a substantial interest in the issues raised in the dispute brought by the European Union against China…and will request to join these consultations,” said trade minister Dan Tehan. The U.S. has also expressed support for the EU’s case, and the U.K. government has said it is taking a “close look,” according to Politico.
How Australia's PM presented WeChat account loss as a China threat
Australian prime minister loses WeChat account because of incompetence, CCP is blamed: “Scott Morrison lost control of his account, but analysts dispute claims Beijing was involved,” says the BBC.
Chinese Spies Accused of Using Huawei in Secret Australia Telecom Hack
In 2012, Australia told the U.S. that a “software update from Huawei” had been the source of a telecommunications hack, and this development has, until now, been an unreported but “key piece of evidence underpinning the U.S. efforts” to discredit Huawei, Bloomberg reports.
Editor’s note for Wednesday, December 8, 2021
A note for Access newsletter readers from Jeremy Goldkorn. Today: Australia, Britain, and Canada join the U.S. in a “diplomatic boycott” of the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
Editor’s note for Tuesday, November 30, 2021
A note for Access newsletter readers from Jeremy Goldkorn. Today: Is Airbnb violating U.S. sanctions with listings in Xinjiang?; the U.S. is reportedly looking to improve its airfields in Guam and Australia with an eye on China.
Why China is genuinely worried about AUKUS
The three-nation AUKUS security pact, which includes an American and British commitment to supply Australia with nuclear submarines, is the latest step in the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China. It has sowed a genuine sense of fear in Beijing of things to come.
Dutton raises stakes over Taiwan with talk of war
Did Australia’s defense minister vow to defend Taiwan? Peter Dutton made headlines last week when he declared it “inconceivable” that Australia would not join the U.S. in defending Taiwan if China were to use force in the Taiwan Strait. But as freelance journalist Elise Thomas noted, Dutton quickly backtracked by saying that “maybe there are circumstances where we wouldn’t take up that option, [but] I can’t conceive of those circumstances.” According to the Sydney Morning Herald, one senior Australian official described Dutton’s comments as “an analytical opinion rather than a policy decision.”
Massive Rise in Hong Kong Lobster Imports Reveals a Smuggling Problem
The city is buying hundreds of metric tons of lobster monthly, far more than even its seafood-loving diners can stomach.
Opinion | Biden, You Should Be Aware That Your Submarine Deal Has Costs
As experts hail the AUKUS agreement, the Biden administration should ensure it does not reflect a self-defeating concept of great power competition.
China Keeps Cash Engine Running in Ninth Day of Injections
China’s central bank injected liquidity into the financial system for a ninth day in the longest run since December as it sought to meet a surge in seasonal demand for cash.
Why China Is Facing a Power Crunch and What It Means: QuickTake
A power crunch across China has rippled from factory floors to homes and even traffic lights in some places, leading economists to cut their growth forecasts for the world’s second-largest economy. The shortages mirror tight energy supplies in Europe and elsewhere that have roiled commodity markets, as well. Part of the problem is that the economic rebound after Covid lockdowns has boosted demand, while lower investment by miners and drillers has constrained production. But the crisis in China i
Australia Took On China. Did It Get It Right?
The country is wrestling with the political and economic consequences of its sharp turn in policy and tone — including an erosion of tolerance.
China’s Power Crisis Moves From the Factory Floor to Homes
China’s energy crisis is beginning to hit people where they live, adding the risk of social instability to an economic slowdown and global supply chain disruptions.
CPTPP: Taiwan’s Trade Deal Application Sets Up China Showdown
Taiwan’s request to join the Asian-Pacific’s biggest working trade deal, coming just days after China’s submitted its own bid, presents the member nations with a difficult choice - admit one, both or neither?
Tensions grow as US, allies deepen Indo-Pacific involvement
BANGKOK (AP) — With increasingly strong talk in support of Taiwan, a new deal to supply Australia with nuclear submarines, and the launch of a European strategy for greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S.
Taiwan Applies to Join Pacific Trade Deal Days After China
Taiwan has submitted an application to join a Pacific trade deal, just days after China sent its own request to become a member of the agreement which was once pushed by the U.S. as a way to isolate Beijing and solidify American dominance in the region.
Dairy, Meat Are Possible Targets If China Rebukes Australia Over Subs
Australia’s new Indo-Pacific security partnership with the U.S. and U.K. that allows it to acquire nuclear-powered submarines drew a swift verbal retort for all three nations from China. But Beijing might have more than just words to come for Canberra.
Opinion | China’s Leaders Are Having Fun With Us. Who Can Blame Them?
We need a better strategy to counter China than submarines. Biden should get back into the TPP trade deal.
