Today
- Opinion
- South China Sea
Why South China Sea is the flashpoint that could spark war
The worry for Australia is that rather than Taiwan, the worsening situation in the seas east of Asia is more likely to entangle it in a great power conflict.
- Bec Strating
Yesterday
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Japan’s LNG diplomacy is in Australia’s national interest
Any move to curb LNG exports that undermine Australia’s reputation would not just threaten new gas projects but damage Australia’s green superpower hopes.
- The AFR View
This Month
- Opinion
- Putin's Russia
Putin to Xi: I have options in East Asia
The Russian President’s visits last week to North Korea and Vietnam shows Russia’s residual capacity to stir trouble in East Asia.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- China relations
Why Australia needs to stop being PNG’s payday lender
It might seem a good, neighbourly thing to do. But loans can be damaging as poorly tied aid. The alternative is subsidising direct Australian business investment.
- Carolyn Blacklock
- Opinion
- Royal Australian Navy
Time to promote a woman as deputy chief of Navy
The officer second in charge of the Royal Australian Navy will shortly rotate, opening the way for a historic first appointment of a female.
- Jennifer Parker
- Opinion
- China relations
Li’s visit may be as good as it gets for China ties
Dialogue is vital. But the reality for Labor’s “stabilisation” is that the strategic environment will continue to breed black swans and black elephants crises in the Sino-Australian relationship.
- Rory Medcalf
- Opinion
- China relations
Albanese elevates diplomacy over the drum beat of war
Few can doubt the success of ‘stabilisation’ for the Australia-China relationship, but how might it work when applied to the region?
- Updated
- James Curran
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Albanese ‘renews and revitalises’ ties with a very different China
It remains in Australia’s national interest to deepen both economic and diplomatic ties with our major trade partner, and continue to welcome China’s rise behind a rules-based order.
- The AFR View
- Analysis
- China relations
Li’s visit shows Australia and China are trying to move on
The first visit of a Chinese Premier to Australia since 2017 revealed two countries straining to have a normal diplomatic relationship.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Hong Kong protests
Diplomatic niceties ignore the human rights cost of doing business with China
The persecution of Jimmy Lai marks the death of the rule of law in Hong Kong, and is a red flag for those still seeking to get rich in China.
- Sebastien Lai
- Opinion
- China relations
‘Stabilisation’ shouldn’t straitjacket deeper economic ties with China
Anthony Albanese’s date with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Canberra is an opportunity to work on a trade-based agenda for the future between two deeply complementary economies.
- James Curran
Chinese Premier Li Qiang declares ties ‘back on track’
Li Qiang, who is second only to President Xi Jinping, has visited Adelaide Zoo for a bit of panda diplomacy, after declaring Australia-Chinese relations are “back on track”.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- China relations
Australia-China ties are not ready for AUKUS
It’s no surprise that Li Qiang will head straight to Australia’s mining capital and most pro-Chinese city. But he will bypass the Stirling naval base where US nuclear-powered submarines will arrive.
- Richard McGregor
Why peacetime will be a problem for Putin’s banker
For Elvira Nabiullina, head of Russia’s central bank, demilitarisation could trigger the economic meltdown she’s worked so hard to prevent.
- Kate de Pury
- Opinion
- China relations
Now is the time to write a new chapter in China-Australia relations
China is willing to take Premier Li Qiang’s visit as an important opportunity to join hands with Australia to work from a new starting point.
- Updated
- Xiao Qian
All change as Prabowo prepares for the top job
Economic nationalism has been a constant in Indonesia and the incoming President has some firm views on the topic.
- Emma Connors
- Opinion
- China relations
The contradictions in Australia’s China policy
Australia will promote the visit by China’s Premier Li Qiang as evidence the relationship has “stabilised”. But policy tensions and hard choices are only increasing.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Energy transition
Climate pivot is Australia’s next China opportunity
The visit by Premier Li Qiang is an opportunity to consolidate our strategic relations with the world’s green economic powerhouse undergoing an era-defining transformation.
- David Olsson
- Opinion
- Defence
Defence rhetoric is mismatched with lack of action on investment
If nothing changes and war were to break out at any time in the next 10 years, our military would essentially fight with the force it has today.
- Justin Bassi
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Marles delivers right China message in right forum
The defence minister’s realistic assessment is that Beijing’s aggression is not only a threat but is undermining China’s legitimate self-interests that should be pursued as part of a peaceful and prosperous regional order.
- The AFR View
