Defence Minister Richard Marles is challenging Beijing to make clear that it opposes the invasion of another sovereign state, while repudiating claims that western governments, including Australia, possess a deep rooted hostility towards China. Amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, Mr Marles will speak at the Shangri-La defence forum inContinue Reading
Beijing has warned Australia to “be careful” against acting on its “unwarranted anxieties toward China”, questioning how relations can improve while Canberra accuses it of coercion. In an opinion piece by Chinese government mouthpiece the Global Times, Beijing lamented that despite a significant thawing in the bilateral relationship, Australia’s newlyContinue Reading
Anthony Albanese has praised the partnership between Australia and the Philippines, saying the countries were united by a vision of a “peaceful, secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific”. Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr addressed both houses of parliament on Thursday, declaring the Philippines would “not allow any attempt by anyContinue Reading
After a decade of slow but steady escalation, it’s crunch time in the South China Sea. As the world is distracted by the horrors in the Holy Land and the valiant struggle by Ukraine against Russia’s invasion – Beijing is “making mischief” in Philippine territory. And fears are soaring thatContinue Reading
A second brutal conflict is brewing in Europe. And many of the same forces behind the clash in Ukraine are behind a dangerous surge in centuries-old hostilities in the Balkans. A Kosovo-Albanian policeman and three heavily armed Serbs were killed in a daylong battle centred on a Christian Orthodox monasteryContinue Reading
G7 leaders on Saturday warned China over its “militarisation activities” in the Asia-Pacific region but said the bloc also wanted “constructive and stable relations” with Beijing. In a final communique issued at a summit in Hiroshima, the nations laid out a raft of concerns about China’s economic and military activities.Continue Reading
China launched military drills around Taiwan on Saturday, in what it called a “stern warning” to the self-ruled island’s government following a meeting between its president and the US House speaker. Dubbed “United Sharp Sword”, the three-day operation — which state media said includes rehearsing an encirclement of Taiwan —Continue Reading
Brazil has just cut a deal with China to ditch the US dollar when paying each other for trade goods. It’s the latest victory in Beijing’s long-term drive to stomp on the greenback and establish the yuan as the dominant international currency. The deal, announced Thursday, has revived concerns aboutContinue Reading
On the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of the “worst moment” of the war over the last 12 months. Speaking on Friday in Kyiv, a city which Moscow had confidence it would take in just days, Mr Zelensky also said Ukraine could winContinue Reading
China’s hostility towards Taiwan continues to escalate, with increasingly powerful demonstrations of its military might. But is it getting ready to invade? Or blockade? Chairman Xi Jinping has begun the first year of his previously unconstitutional third term by declaring his desire to revive China’s reputation. But his military isContinue Reading