How China uses tourists to push geopolitical goals

China uses its new economic power to pursue political goals, swiftly shifting inducements to punishments, not least in the field of tourism.

Why the Solomon Islands and Kiribati switched sides

Kiribati and Solomon Islands have switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China and the move is about more than the Chinese Communist Party’s relentless campaign to isolate Taiwan.

China sets out its military future

China has released a White Paper on defence — its first such report in four years — reiterating three broad strategic goals for the modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) over the next 30 years.

Australia’s booming trade with China will shape strategic policy

Diplomatic relations may have been strained, but Australia’s trade relationship with China is growing ever closer. The latest trade report shows that China was the destination for a record 40% of Australia’s exports in June.

Why the world ignores China’s Uyghur persecution

China’s efforts to limit scrutiny of its persecution of its Uyghur Muslim minority is abetted by the silence of countries putting economic links ahead of human rights.

More arms won’t win the political war

By failing to be forthcoming and transparent about foreign disinformation campaigns, the Australian government is effectively ceding the ‘high ground’ of political warfare to our ideological adversaries.

Hastie’s right: it’s time to protect ourselves

Andrew Hastie’s warning that an intellectual failure to accept that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for the world will test our democratic values, economy, alliances and security as never before is the blunt wake-up call that Australians need.

It’s not in the national interest to soft pedal on China

The government’s attempt to stifle backbench contributions to the growing debate on China’s intentions is shortsighted at best, as the issue will only grow more urgent in the years ahead.

Which side are we on?

The protests in Hong Kong started over CEO Carrie Lam’s extradition bill and have turned into a defining issue for the trajectory of China as a state and a society, and for the Chinese state’s relationships internationally.

Australian universities must wake up to the risks of researchers linked to China’s military

China’s aggressive program of acquiring technology from abroad should be a cause of concern for Australian universities. Yet, our system of vetting research collaborations is clearly broken, putting Australian security at risk.

Can China export its own authoritarian model?

Are Western leaders right to fear China’s attempts to spread its authoritarian model of government around the world, just as it has exported its manufactured goods?

We must do more than wave the flag in the South China Sea

All hopes of China becoming a ‘responsible stakeholder’ now dead and that nation’s capacity to constrain our maritime freedom of movement will only grow larger. Without action, we will soon find ourselves strategically reliant on the benevolence of an expansionist dictatorship.