International pressure can help protect Hong Kong

The UN needs to establish a special envoy to closely monitor the decline of human rights in Hong Kong, says Australia Director at Human Rights Watch and adjunct lecturer at UNSW Law Elaine Pearson.

Australians at increasing risk of arbitrary arrest abroad

International travel remains off the agenda for most people, but two UNSW academics have expanded on the Australian government’s warning Australians could be ‘at risk of arbitrary arrest’ in China, Iran, Vietnam and other oppressive nations.

The hidden hand of Chinese power

The Chinese Communist Party’s global influence operations are covert but pervasive, and are undermining Western democratic institutions. Hidden Hand is very welcome in raising our awareness of this, and the stakes involved.

China is busy making enemies

From the warm waters of the South China Sea, to the snows of the Himalayas and the streets of Hong Kong, China’s relentless bullying of its neighbours is turning the international community against it.

The death of Hong Kong

Communist China’s brutal assault on Hong Kong’s last vestiges of freedom through its controversial new ‘security law’ is yet more chilling evidence of its repressive and expansionist nature.

Crouching media, hidden agenda

Recent Chinese state-owned media have been using colourful headlines and articles to describe Australia. This is a tried and trusted method that has been used for at least a quarter century.

Building a grand strategy for China

The complicated and complex nature of Australia’s relations with China calls for a well-designed grand strategy that maximises the economic benefits while limiting the political costs.

Taking off the red-tinted glasses

The advocates of closer economic relations with China have dominated the debate for years, but China’s ever more outrageous behaviour is forcing even its most blinkered apologists to come to grips with reality.

China plays the race card against Australia

China’s latest travel and education warnings over Australian racism don’t stand up to scrutiny because they don’t have to. Our problem is not racism, it is Xi.

The party speaks for you

The Chinese Communist Party is strengthening its influence by co-opting representatives of ethnic minority groups, religious movements, and business, science and political groups in China and overseas, including Australia.

China’s belt and road shouldn’t start in Victoria

If the national cabinet has a purpose beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, it could act to force a cohesive and united national policy on China, and that should start with reconsidering Victoria’s deal.

Standing up to China

Australia needs more cowboy and less kowtow in its current dispute with China. Our foreign, security and trade policies need more principle and less of the ‘pragmatism’ that has brought us to this sorry point of affairs.