This Month
‘Parasitic illegal immigrant’: The Musk v Bannon feud fires up
Donald Trump has made clear he wants to keep both men and their allies within his MAGA movement, but the tensions are growing.
The Trump and Xi shows could not be more stark
For many observers, the contrast between China’s orderly political gathering at the Great Hall of the People this week and the White House chaos was stark.
China hits US farms in tariff fightback
A trade war between the world’s two biggest economies has officially erupted after Beijing hit back at the US with tit-for-tat tariffs, rocking markets.
China set to repeat 5pc growth target at annual political gathering
Investors and markets are watching the National People’s Congress for signs of how Xi Jinping plans to withstand Donald Trump’s tariffs on the sluggish economy.
January
Why Xiao Qian’s Taiwan claims are misinforming Australians
The Chinese ambassador is expected to convey his government’s official stance, but misrepresenting Australia’s positions is bad diplomatic form.
Xi Jinping’s most trusted confidante has a new job: Winning Taiwan
He was fascinated by democracy as a student but Wang Huning has been the definition of a party insider for the past three decades.
James Curran is wrong: ASPI is and will remain independent
Commentators are free to criticise research institutes critical of China but should focus on evidence, not innuendo.
December 2024
‘Chinese spy’ linked to Prince Andrew denies allegations
Businessman Yang Tengbo was described as the Duke of York’s “close confidant” and was banned from entering Britain on security grounds.
China’s ‘bazooka’ stimulus will have to wait - again
Beijing says “vigorous” efforts to boost domestic consumption are the country’s top economic priority, but details are once again lacking.
The four charts that show what’s wrong with China’s economy
Key indicators reveal the challenges facing Chinese policymakers as they gather to deal with the task of balancing short-term stimulus with longer-term reforms.
November 2024
Trump win puts global corporate tax deal ‘in peril’
Experts believe that countries will now be unlikely to apply rules over fears of retaliation from Trump-led administration.
October 2024
Xi Jinping tightens stranglehold on China’s academia
Scholars have been fired or ‘disappeared’ as Beijing clamps down on discussion of sensitive topics, including the economy.
August 2024
How the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is tearing itself apart
War erupted on the board of one of Australia’s most prestigious arts institutions long before the public upheavals over a pianist’s remarks about Gaza.
What does China make of America’s topsy-turvy election?
Beijing will have trouble working out whether a hard or soft approach to a new US administration will work best.
‘You don’t embarrass the New Yorker in Trump’ says military adviser
Chris Miller, a former acting secretary of defence and Project 2025 contributor, says the AUKUS military alliance will be fine if Donald Trump wins the election, but Vladimir Putin could be in a jam.
July 2024
China’s consumer price growth weakens ahead of key summit
Factory deflation eases but Beijing’s reliance on exports and industrial output is stoking trade tensions.
June 2024
China charges defence ministers in military anti-graft purge
The two generals were accused of taking huge bribes and of corruption that reached into the armaments sector, as China hinted that more heads could roll.
Australia criticises China for sea skirmish in sign tensions remain
Improved communications between the Australian and Chinese militaries will not reduce the likelihood of potentially dangerous confrontations, experts warn.
Why won’t Xi Jinping fix China’s dreadful economy?
Explanations for Beijing’s refusal to work on deep-seated problems include denial, ignorance and ideology.
May 2024
China’s curse is to raise hopes and dash them
In her book “Wild Ride”, an American journalist details her life in China as it opened to the world, then regressed back to an oppressive, inward-looking regime.