New Zealand

Dubbo zoo visitors feed carrots to a giraffe. (Photo by Di Smith)
Life

'Glamping' thrill in Australia's bush has a serious side

Luxury holidays bring visitors up close to endangered rhino

9 December 2018
The U.S. has lobbied allies to keep Huawei equipment out of their planned 5G wireless networks.
International relations

New Zealand's Huawei ban reveals difficulty of trade war neutrality

Wellington bows to US pressure on 5G despite trade talks with Beijing

29 November 2018
A sign shows the way to the Rio Tinto-owned Rossing Uranium Mine in the Namib Desert. 
Business deals

Rio Tinto sells African uranium mine to China

Deal paves way for shutting down money-losing uranium business

27 November 2018
APEC leaders including, from left, China's Xi Jinping, Papua New Guinean host Peter O'Neill, Japan's Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pose in Port Moresby on Nov. 18.
Trade war

APEC chair statement underlines US-China divisions

Fight against 'protectionism' removed from document released five days after summit

23 November 2018
APA Group owns more than half of Australia's natural gas transmission network. (Photo courtesy of APA Group)
Business deals

Australia rejects Hong Kong group's bid for pipeline operator

Conglomerate CK's planned buy of APA not in 'national interest,' Canberra says

21 November 2018
APEC leaders including, from left, China's Xi Jinping, Papua New Guinean host Peter O'Neill, Japan's Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pose in Port Moresby on Nov. 18.
Trade war

US-China trade clash blocks APEC declaration

Forum ends without statement for first time in its history

19 November 2018
Turkey's Yildiz Holding plans to sell its Godiva chocolate business spanning several big Asia-Pacific markets, hoping to complete a deal by the middle of next year. (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)
Business deals

Godiva's East Asia chocolate business up for sale

Mitsubishi Corp. and others among potential buyers from Turkey's Yildiz

16 November 2018
A giant banner showing Chinese President Xi Jinping and Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O'Neill shaking hands is displayed in Port Moresby.
Belt and Road

China displays Pacific ambitions in Great Game with Australia and US

APEC host Papua New Guinea rolls out red carpet for Xi ahead of summit

16 November 2018
The International Convention Center in Papua New Guinea's capital, one of the APEC venues, marked with a "China Aid" sign (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Opinion

Australia versus China in the South Pacific

Canberra may lack resources to resist Beijing's expansionist drive

15 November 2018
Leaders from RCEP countries met for a Summit in Singapore on Nov. 14: Some, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second from left, worry that announcing a deal could hurt their standing at home.
International relations

Asian leaders reaffirm commitment to RCEP trade talks

Members hope to conclude deal in 2019 after failing to reach agreement this year

14 November 2018
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue will hold its third meeting in Singapore. 
International relations

'Quad' seen to discuss ways to curb China's influence in Indo-Pacific

US, India, Japan and Australia join for third security dialogue in Singapore

14 November 2018
An Indonesia Navy officer watches a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense vessel enter port in September 2018. Japan wants countries to work together on maritime security as part of its push for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
International relations

Abe goes on tour to pitch 'free and open' Indo-Pacific

Japanese prime minister will meet with Russia's Putin on the sidelines

14 November 2018
Economic ministers representing members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pose for a group photo in Singapore, Nov. 12. 
International relations

Ministers defer agreement on RCEP trade deal to 2019

Asia-Pacific pact risks bogging down as some member nations go to polls

13 November 2018
New Zealand opposition leader Simon Bridges speaks to reporters on Oct. 16 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Politics

New Zealand scandal renews fears of China's 'United Front' influence

Authorities investigate alleged corruption with suspected Communist Party links

12 November 2018
Building such infrastructure as LNG terminals would be financed under the arrangement.
International relations

US, Japan and Australia team on financing Indo-Pacific infrastructure

Trio to support energy and communications projects with loans and credit guarantees

11 November 2018
The 16 countries negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership bring widely differing interests and concerns to the table.
Economy

Five things to know about Asian trade megadeal RCEP

Negotiations in Singapore will be closely watched for progress on tariff reduction

10 November 2018
Free trade will be the focus of APEC talks in Papua New Guinea mid-November. 
Politics

APEC to focus on advancing Asia-Pacific free trade

The 21 countries to share concerns over protectionism

8 November 2018
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is refocusing his country's aid to the Pacific.
Politics

Australia reveals $1.5bn Pacific fund to counter China

Infrastructure aid meant to shore up Canberra's role as island benefactor

8 November 2018
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, right, says he was surprised by the actions of the Victorian government on international affairs.
International relations

Australian leader rips local government's deal with China

Morrison says state did not report signing of Belt and Road memorandum

8 November 2018
MUFG's move is another example of Japanese banks' right strategy for the Asia-Pacific.
Opinion

Japanese banks dig for gold down under

MUFG right to invest in Australia in latest example of a smart megabank strategy for the Asia-Pacific

7 November 2018
Representatives of members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, nicknamed the TPP-11, pose for an official photo in Santiago, Chile, on March 8.
International relations

TPP-11 to take effect on Dec. 30

Sixth country Australia ratifies trade pact, paving way for early launch

31 October 2018
A liquefied natural gas facility in northwest Australia operated by Woodside Petroleum, which is ramping production as the global supply glut comes to a close. (Photo courtesy of Woodside Petroleum)
Economy

Australia boosts LNG output to feed China's growing appetite

Beijing's energy shift and US trade war provide an opening

26 October 2018
New Zealand's Parliament building, the Beehive, in Wellington
Politics

New Zealand approves TPP-11

Move puts revamped trade pact on track to take effect in January

24 October 2018
Shohrat Tursun, center, plays the dutar and Tayir Imen, left, plays the tambourine in the Sydney performance of a Uighur musicial epic. (Sydney Sacred Music Festival/Gerrie Mifsud)
Tea Leaves

How music and dance chart course between 'alienations'

Culture is both hope and solace for China's beleaguered Uighur diaspora

24 October 2018
Containers are seen at the port of Auckland, New Zealand. The country is preparing to ratify the TPP in the coming weeks.
International relations

TPP-11 on track to take effect in mid-January

New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam and Canada to ratify trade pact this year

23 October 2018