China’s recognition of the Taliban sets a dangerous example

China’s recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan sets a dangerous international precedent and is a morally bankrupt approach to international relations.

Hostage diplomacy

It’s time for Beijing to stop assuming it can worry Australia, and start worrying about what Australia might do. We can start by fighting for justice for Yang Hengjun and defend our democratic sovereignty.

Stability or submission?

The governments of Australia and China both ostensibly want to improve their rocky relationship, but the shape this should take is seen in very different terms in Beijing compared to Canberra.

Spamouflage

The Chinese Communist Party launched a massive campaign to manipulate Taiwanese voters by spreading disinformation and propaganda across social media, and its failure to influence the result should not undermine the threat this poses to democracies around the world.

Red tinted glasses

Innumerable articles dissect or criticise how Australia views China, but it’s China’s ideological perception of the world which may be more relevant to our diplomatic and strategic relations.

Singing the party’s song

Vetted and approved social media influencers flourish under the Chinese Communist Party’s tightly regulated social media ecosystem as the party uses their popularity to bolster its dubious legitimacy both domestically and abroad.

Disagreeing where we must

Australia and China are looking to improve their diplomatic and economic relations after China’s failed attempts to bully Australia into submission, but this shouldn’t stop Australia emphasising its support for Taiwan.

China’s bullying backfires

China’s remorseless diplomatic and military bullying of its maritime neighbours is driving them ever further into the allied alliance against the expansionist communist state.

In the house of pooh bear

Tensions appear to be easing between Australia and China, but the Prime Minister must remember that pulling punches on international security in the hope of frictionless diplomacy and short-term economic gain only teaches authoritarian states that aggression and coercion are effective.

Slaying the blue dragon

China’s ambitions of imperialist expansion in the South China Season and the Indo-Pacific need to be contained by allied determination, given China’s complete disdain for other nation’s rights and sovereignty.

Overreach

In her new book, Susan Shirk sets out to explain how relations between China and the West have deteriorated, noting that China went into imperial overdrive well before Xi came to wield sole power.

The Chinese Cyber Party

Chinese harassment of pro-democracy activists in Australia has morphed into a wider campaign to discredit the Australian government and promote appeasement of the Chinese Communist Party among ex-pats and others.