This Month
China massing military ships across region as tensions rise
Beijing’s reported deployment of some 100 vessels reflects a confident, increasingly global People’s Liberation Army, a defence expert said.
Marles launches biggest Defence overhaul in five decades
To help prevent more multibillion-dollar cost blowouts, an independent agency to run major projects will be created by the government.
November
China’s new monster aircraft carrier starts service as tensions rise
President Xi Jinping officially commissioned China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, that has electromagnetic catapults for aircraft take-offs.
October
Chinese fighter jet deploys flares near Australian military plane
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government has lodged a protest with Beijing over the incident, which is the second of its kind this year.
Philippines, China trade blame over South China Sea clash
Manila alleged Chinese maritime forces used water cannons and rammed a Philippine boat near Thitu Island in the latest of a string of clashes.
September
Be wary of Chinese ambassador’s promises of friendship
China is embarking on the most rapid military buildup since World War II to underpin an expansionary territorial and geopolitical agenda.
August
Footage shows Chinese ships colliding during high-speed chase
The collision is the latest confrontation with a Philippine vessel as China steps up its military dominance of the South China Sea.
Philippines would be drawn into Taiwan war, says Marcos
The president said the country’s coast guard, navy and other vessels defending its territorial interests in the South China Sea would never back down.
July
Chinese warships bolster case to combine civil and defence airspace
Australia will be more resilient to any threat from China when it becomes the first country in the world to combine civil and military air traffic control.
US demands to know what Australia would do in a war over Taiwan
The Trump administration says it is trying to prevent a war, but it is raising eyebrows by calling for commitments from Australia and Japan.
June
‘Beijing would rejoice’: AUKUS in jeopardy as US reviews its role
Defence Minister Richard Marles downplayed a US review into AUKUS which threatens Australia’s $300 billion-plus plans to build and acquire nuclear submarines.
Beijing lashes Australia over ‘China threat’ meeting with allies
China has condemned Australia and its allies for stoking regional tensions.
May
What if China invaded Taiwan? This TV drama paints a visceral picture
Controversial series “Zero Day” is the first to realistically depict a Chinese assault on the democratic but divided island.
April
Beijing’s flag-planting in South China Sea revives tensions with Manila
The Philippines sent navy, coastguard and maritime police officers to Sandy Cay and two neighbouring sandbanks in the Spratly Islands “uphold sovereignty”.
China seizes disputed reef in the South China Sea
China’s official declaration of sovereignty over the land near the Philippines will raise fears that Beijing intends to build up unoccupied reefs and banks.
Inside the fortune Kerry Stokes (quietly) made in China
The businessman is best known for his investments in television and newspapers. But a decades-long approach to backing the Asian powerhouse is paying dividends.
March
The AI economy has a massive vulnerability
Subsea cables channel data and power, but they face escalating dangers, and multiple incidents in the past few months have highlighted those risks.
China bolsters defence budget to build bigger military
China is increasing its defence spending and looks to fire up its sluggish economy, in the midst of a trade war with the United States.
Chinese ships a reality check for our military
Readers’ letters on Chinese military vessels circling Australia, Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine, Woolworths’ cost cuts and the Jackson Pollock painting Blue Poles.
February
Live-fire drills have blown up Labor’s ‘stabilisation’ with China
The Chinese are telling everyone the naval manoeuvres are not illegal, but it’s odd to hear Australia’s prime minister and defence minister parroting their words.