In the shadow of the dragon

Sebastian Strangio’s new book argues the emergence of a more powerful and belligerent China poses the most serious foreign policy challenge that the Southeast Asian region has faced in a generation.

The long winter ahead

The recent freeze in relations between Australia and China seems set to continue, with uncertain results for this country.

Business changes tune on China

It has taken years of blatant bullying from Beijing for Australian firms to finally realise that nothing short of complete capitulation would get Australia back on China’s good side.

Cuckoo in the nest

Australia’s measures to limit Chinese influence are long overdue. All democracies have an interest in strengthening their internal and external arrangements against the PRC’s relentless predation.

The unwinnable war

China’s politically motivated trade war against Australia will harm both countries, but the downward spiral in relations is not irrecoverable – yet.

Australia’s options for pushing back against Beijing

Capitulation to the bullies of Beijing is unthinkable, but after years of being lulled into complacency, we need some policy imagination and decisive decision-making to secure our future interests.

Rethinking Australia’s relations with the USA and China

Sophie Mayo argues that Australia should hedge its bets between China and the USA at a time of increasing international tensions, and look to diversify its economic and strategic ties.

Counterpoint by Mark Nicol – World peace: Why the West must crush Chinese ambitions

An increasingly powerful and aggressive China is extending its economic, political and military influence around the world. A concerted and immediate effort is required from democratic nations if Xi’s ambitions are to be thwarted.

The great Chinese cover-up

China may now want to expel foreign correspondents to control its own narrative and stem negative coverage but its connections to the outside world means the country can no longer be isolated and escape critical coverage, no matter how much it tries.

China expands its island-building strategy into the Pacific

The government of Kiribati is not alone in the Pacific in falling under Chinese influence, and is in the process of handing China another unsinkable aircraft carrier as it expands its regional power.

China-Australia tension hammers human ties

For all the concern this year that political tensions between Australia and China might harm trade and investment, this isn’t the most acute stress in the bilateral relationship.

Why China’s Zhenhua data trove matters

The Zhenhua revelations offer another chance to challenge Beijing to reduce its egregious interference in other societies to shore up the position of the CCP.