This Month
- Opinion
- Opinion
Australia cannot stay silent on China’s bullying of the Philippines
The latest maritime incident in the South China Sea warrants an unequivocal statement on escalating aggression and following through on promised joint patrols.
- Jennifer Parker
Beijing-Manila tensions mount after latest South China Sea clash
The latest near miss in the disputed waters has drawn international condemnation and expressions of concern from the US.
- Enrico Dela Cruz and Karen Lema
Philippines probes deadly ramming in South China Sea
The Philippines’ president said he would hold those responsible accountable for the collision that killed three fishermen amid soaring tensions with China.
- Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema
September
Fractures weaken the G20’s stance on Ukraine
Anthony Albanese said the G20 remains a vital tool to uphold global peace and stability, as he defended its watered-down statement on Ukraine.
- Phillip Coorey
Albanese hails G20 Ukraine war compromise
Anthony Albanese said Russia “has to have gotten the message over Ukraine”, despite attempts to water down the G20 leaders’ declaration.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey
In Beijing, business fears Xi is out of ideas
A visit to Beijing finds the city humming but the mood downbeat, with some saying the toolbox to fix the nation’s troubles is empty of everything but trumpets.
- Updated
- James Curran
Albanese upgrades ties with Philippines in show of solidarity on China
Anthony Albanese went out of his way to the Philippines and explicitly expressed Australia’s support for the country’s position on the disputed South China Sea.
- Phillip Coorey
‘Playing one side is easy’: Albanese’s zig-zag Asian diplomacy
Labor’s revived “Asian Century” doctrine seeks to re-engage China while standing alongside regional allies battered by Beijing’s duress.
- Phillip Coorey
Why Nicholas Moore says taxpayers should back Asian business ventures
Political risk insurance and streamlined foreign investment approvals are among 75 recommendations to boost trade and investment with South-East Asia.
- Phillip Coorey
Albanese embarks on a three-nation regional balancing act
Anthony Albanese will spend the next six days trying to stabilise the relationship with Beijing, while strengthening ties with those who are threatened by China.
- Phillip Coorey and Andrew Tillett
August
Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over water cannon incident
Manila lodged a diplomatic protest over the Chinese coast guard’s use of a water cannon against a Filipino supply boat in the disputed South China Sea.
- Jim Gomez
Philippines accuses China of ‘dangerous’ moves in South China Sea
The Philippines said China’s coast guard used excessive force against one of its vessels in the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
- Jim Gomez
July
China slams US for sending weapons stockpile to Taiwan
The Biden administration announced a military aid package to Taiwan as it becomes increasingly concerned about Chinese military activity in the region.
- Nomaan Merchant, Ellen Knickmeyer and Zeke Miller
June
The unmanned subs and export rules shaping Australia’s maritime future
Autonomous submarines are set to change how Australia patrols the oceans. But US export controls have to be loosened before the most advanced versions ply the waters.
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Stable Asia needs American power to balance China
The Shangri-La Dialogue shows there’s quiet support for the US role in the region. But while it ignores wider trade issues, the US only has half an Asian strategy.
- The AFR View
US, China hold ‘candid’ talks after warships almost collide
The Beijing discussions came as the White House warned that China’s “growing aggressiveness” in the region risked an accident that could cause injury.
- Updated
- Justin Sink and Jenny Leonard
Albanese declares Vietnam a top-tier partner
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Vietnamese workers can help fill skills shortages, as he declared his desire to elevate Vietnam as one of Australia’s top-tier partners.
- Andrew Tillett
China defends buzzing US warship in near collision
The incident in the Taiwan Strait has raised concerns of a possible accident that could lead to an escalation of already high tensions between the two nations.
- Updated
- David Rising
May
Chinese fighter jet swoops US plane in South China Sea
The US military revealed the ‘unnecessarily aggressive’ manoeuvre the day after Beijing snubbed an offer of talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
- Lolita Baldor
April
US backs Manila after Chinese coast guard blocks Philippines patrol
Hostilities peaked in the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly archipelago, the most fiercely contested region in the busy sea channel.
- Updated
- Jim Gomez
