China relations
US Coast Guard boards Chinese fishing boats near Pacific island
Kiribati is considered strategic as it is relatively close to Hawaii and controls a 3.5 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone.
- by Kirsty Needham
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Opinion
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What China’s blossoming relationship with the Taliban says about its long-game
Through an alliance with Iran and burgeoning ties with Afghanistan, Beijing is looking past the Indo-Pacific and toward another region.
- by Amin Saikal
Opinion
Political leadership
In power, Keating was a gift. Now, at 80, he’s a tragedy
Paul Keating’s incredible economic chutzpah supercharged Australia’s prosperity. But he has become an apologist for China, and that may poison his legacy.
- by Peter Hartcher
Online dump of Chinese hacking documents offers rare window into pervasive state surveillance
The trove catalogues apparent hacking activity and tools to spy on both Chinese and foreigners.
- by Frank Bajak and Dake Kang
Yang Hengjun will not appeal against suspended death sentence
The Australian’s family has lost hope that the Chinese legal system can deliver justice to the pro-democracy writer.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Analysis
Defence
The big China gamble that could sink Marles’ navy overhaul
The navy’s $11 billion reboot is fine on paper - as long as we don’t need to go to war any time in the next decade.
- by Matthew Knott
Floating ‘turkeys’: Is Australia spending $50bn on dud ships?
The Australian armada is sinking under a mountain of debt as it chases projects some argue aren’t fit for 21st century warfare.
- by Matthew Knott
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Taiwan
Palau urges Australia to push US for funding, warning China could force Pacific to ‘sacrifice’ Taiwan
The president of Palau Surangel Whipps says Beijing is pursuing its interests aggressively across the region and has called on Australia to intervene as the US falters.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Analysis
US Votes 2024
Trump never believed in NATO. The world just found out what that means
Never before has a president of the United States – even a former one aspiring to reclaim the office – suggested he would incite an enemy to attack American allies.
- by Peter Baker
Australian given suspended death sentence in China
Australian writer Yang Hengjun has been given a suspended death sentence in China.
Analysis
For subscribers
China says it’s ‘worthy of trust’ but detentions and a death penalty are spooking businesses
Human rights groups estimate there are 5000 foreigners in Chinese jails. At least 50 of them are Australian, including Australian man Yang Hengjun.
- by Eryk Bagshaw