Australia’s defence overhaul has accelerated some projects and cut others and has already prompted a plea from China to abandon a “cold war mentality”. But as the dust settles on a plan to increase overall military spending, the Albanese government has also sent some significant signals on how it sees the future of the Indo-Pacific region – and these aren’t exactly how Australia’s top security ally, the US, might see things. The defence minister, Richard Marles, also has a new answer to a persistent question about claims from some western…
Tag: Australia news
As Solomon Islands’ election looms, China’s influence on the Pacific country draws scrutiny
China’s influence in the Pacific is being scrutinised as ally Solomon Islands prepares to hold elections this month, with two candidates indicating they would seek to review a controversial security pact between the two countries. Ties between China and Solomon Islands have deepened under prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is hoping to secure another term in the vote on 17 April. Solomon Islands, one of the poorest countries in the Pacific, relies heavily on partners including Australia and China for development aid and support. Beijing’s assistance ranges from infrastructure development,…
China scraps tariffs on Australian wine
China has dropped tariffs on Australian wine, a long-awaited decision heralded by the Albanese government as validation of its “calm and consistent approach” with the superpower on a series of controversial trade disputes. In a statement on Thursday the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, foreign minister, Penny Wong, and trade minister, Don Farrell, said they had been informed that from Friday, China’s duties on Australian bottled wine would come to an end. Australia would, in turn, discontinue its legal proceedings in the World Trade Organization, the government said. “We welcome this…
Australian foreign influence register ‘focused almost exclusively on China with little success’, committee finds
An Australian government scheme to bring foreign influence out of the shadows has “significant flaws” and enforcement has “focused almost exclusively on China with little success”, an inquiry has found. In a damning report published on Wednesday, a powerful parliamentary committee said the scheme had achieved “such meagre results that it would be difficult to justify the ongoing compliance burden and resources without major reform”. Under proposed changes, the government would expand the definition of foreign government-related bodies and gain the power to place people on the public influence register…
Australia politics live: Brandis says Rudd must have bipartisan support as ambassador despite Trump comments; Joyce says Rudd is ‘cooked’
From 23m ago Brandis says Rudd must have bipartisan support as ambassador despite Trump’s ‘wild’ comments The former UK ambassador and Coalition minister George Brandis is speaking to ABC radio and he is being very critical of his former colleagues over the Kevin Rudd mini storm, sparked by Donald Trump’s comments. Brandis says the resulting storm has all been a bit much: I think this has been rather overinterpreted. Donald Trump is infamous for making rather wild and off-the-cuff claims that don’t in the end amount to very much, so…
Prosecutors drop element of ‘prejudicing Australia’s national security’ in charge against Alexander Csergo
A Sydney businessman accused of foreign interference over a series of reports he wrote for two Chinese nationals did not act in a way that “prejudiced Australia’s national security”, a court has heard. Alexander Csergo, 56, has spent nearly a year in custody after he was arrested at his Bondi home last April and charged with one count of foreign interference. The advertising and technology executive is alleged to have written reports on business and politics for two Chinese nationals, known to him as Ken and Evelyn, in exchange for…
Australians ‘shocked’ at death sentence imposed on Yang Hengjun, Penny Wong tells Chinese counterpart
The Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has told her visiting Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, that Australians are “shocked” at the suspended death sentence imposed on the writer Dr Yang Hengjun. Wong raised the Australian citizen’s case – along with human rights more broadly – during a meeting that was largely aimed at stabilising the previously turbulent relationship with Australia’s largest trading partner. Acknowledging “important differences” between the two countries that would have to be navigated “wisely”, Wong said Anthony Albanese looked forward to welcoming the Chinese premier, Li Qiang,…
Panda diplomacy: meet the giant (and expensive) diplomats on loan to Australia from China – video
Wang Wang and Fu Ni are the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere. The giant pandas are on loan from China and have lived in Adelaide zoo for the last 15 years. The pandas were loaned to Australia in 2009, under an initial 10-year agreement, which was extended by 5 years in 2019. Australia pays China around $1m dollars to keep the pandas in the country. The contract is likely up for discussion again as China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, visits Australia this week The Guardian
Australia politics live: China’s foreign minister to arrive in Canberra amid calls for Penny Wong to demand release of Yang Hengjun
From 44m ago Press China to release Yang Hengjun, rights group say Daniel Hurst Human rights groups have urged the Australian government to demand the immediate release of Australian writer Dr Yang Hengjun and press other human rights issues strongly during meetings with China’s top diplomat today. The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will hold talks with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Canberra today, with trade, regional security and human rights among the topics expected to be raised. Amnesty International has written to Wong saying it “joins Uyghur, Tibetan,…
How two giant pandas loaned to Adelaide zoo tell the story of the ups and downs of China-Australia relations
They might be cute and cuddly, but Australia’s only giant pandas are in fact expensive – though nonverbal – Chinese diplomats. The fate of Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who have called Adelaide zoo home for the last 15 years, will be decided on Wednesday after a meeting between Australian politicians and China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi. The pandas arrived in Australia in 2009 after being relocated from China’s Wolong national nature reserve. It was the first time pandas had been held in Australia and the first time in the…