This Month
AUKUS ‘as well, not instead’: Morrison lashes Labor on defence
Following testimony to Congress, former PM Scott Morrison said scrimping on defence had angered the Pentagon and diminished Australia’s ability to deter China.
Demands over Taiwan need not sink AUKUS, says former Biden aide
Ely Ratner, ex-assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security, says pressure on Australia to prepare for war is an opportunity rather than a threat.
Scott Morrison to testify before US panel on China
The former prime minister will warn the US that China seeks to isolate America from allies such as Australia to advance its interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Beyond the Wall: Albanese’s high-stakes China play
As the prime minister is criticised over the extent of his China sightseeing, the government insists it is playing the long game and that face time matters.
PM refuses to say he trusts Chinese President Xi
Anthony Albanese has wrapped up his diplomatic tour of China, talking up the renewed relationship as the Coalition criticises parts of the trip as indulgent.
In Pictures: 8th Australia-China CEO Roundtable
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with executives from Australian and Chinese businesses in Beijing.
Albanese pushes back on Chinese live fire but talks up trade
Chinese President Xi Jinping has told the prime minister international turbulence shouldn’t be allowed to derail improvements in the China-Australia relationship.
Sorry Xi, not all problems can be resolved over a Chinese meal
In the game of geopolitics with the US, the Chinese president and propaganda outlets are touting how Australia ties have improved since Albanese came to power.
![Anthony Albanese: “We had a very clear position that we want the [Darwin] port to go into Australian ownership”.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.2438%2C$multiply_3%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_177/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_280%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/059060770e0855fb855882a0d7b19c811d493650)
PM stares down China retaliation threat over Darwin Port sale
Anthony Albanese has doubled down on an election promise to force the Chinese owners to sell Darwin Port despite warnings Beijing may hit back.
Green iron push bolsters message to voters
Shared optimism about the technology and a promised increase in jobs and prosperity are a useful counter to rising concerns about Australia’s growth prospects.
Australian miners warn on iron ore oversupply, steel glut
New supply from West Africa, peak steel output and efforts by Beijing to move from coal-fired to electric arc furnaces and hydrogen have put miners on notice.
We’re letting Xi Jinping weaponise our economy all over again
Australia’s pursuit of growing trade dependence on China is making us increasingly vulnerable to Beijing and its coercion toolkit.
Albanese pitches tourism, sport to China as he seeks to rebuild trust
The prime minister is using cultural ties to mend relations as he hopes to revive the multibillion-dollar Chinese visitor market despite geopolitical friction.
PM must read the tea leaves on China security and trade
We should question whether Albanese’s visit will meaningfully improve Australian-Sino relations or simply serve as political window dressing for both sides.
Tennis and pandas: Albo’s China charm offensive
Anthony Albanese will turn on some soft power moves as part of his planned China trip, but he has been urged not to ignore hard issues.
PM walks a tightrope between an angry Trump and punitive China
Anthony Albanese and his advisers are determined not to let Donald Trump’s fire-and-brimstone antics influence how Australia engages with China.
June
The burning questions Hegseth left unanswered on the China challenge
The US defence secretary’s speech has helped to address, but will not silence, lingering questions about the Trump administration’s commitment to Asia.
April
In Donald Trump we distrust – in record numbers
The Lowy Institute Poll, which has been tracking attitudes to foreign policy since 2005, this year recorded a dramatic 20-point drop in Australians’ trust in the United States to act responsibly.
Election campaign leaves defence questions unanswered
The real leadership test for both sides of politics this Anzac Day is whether they can match remembrance for our military past with readiness for what’s coming.
My China trip made one thing clear about the global trade war
The Chinese mean it when they say they won’t cave to Washington’s escalating threats. They have many cards to play.