Pacific Islands

A prominent port in China has banned coal imports from Australia.
International relations

Chinese ports impose indefinite ban on Australian coal

Canberra's ban on Huawei and ZTE seen to be behind move

22 February 2019
The logo of Huawei Technologies is pictured atop the German headquarters of the Chinese telecommunications company in Duesseldorf.
Trade war

Germany follows UK in casting doubt on US Huawei ban

Allies not convinced on security threat as 5G rollout looms

20 February 2019
The housing markets of Australian cities have attracted a raft of overseas investment in recent years, but Chinese purchases of Australian homes dropped 17% in fiscal 2017.
Economy

Sign of chilly ties: China no longer Australia's biggest investor

Concern and scrutiny from both governments slows the flow of Chinese money

19 February 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a government probe of the cyberattack against Australia's main political parties revealed "no evidence of any electoral interference."
Politics

'State actor' hit Australian parliament in cyberattack, says PM

Security expert points to China and Russia as main suspects in hacking

18 February 2019
BHP's Mount Whaleback mine in the ore-rich Pilbara region of northwest Australia. Pilbara is only one facet of the company's declared strategy to become a "fully integrated, highly automated" mining company by 2025. (Courtesy of BHP)
Company in focus

Mining giant BHP goes digital in race for survival

To break the commodities cycle, old industry embraces big data

15 February 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping was hailed last year as the new keeper of the global economic order. This year he was denounced at Davos as a grave threat to freedom. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
International relations

China’s 'ham-handed' PR moves hurt its global image

Canada, Australia and EU push back at Beijing over perceived hostage diplomacy

14 February 2019
Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, middle, said on Tuesday the 'ghosts of 1MDB have been exorcised' with the launch of a 3.3 billion ringgit real estate development.
Property

Malaysia ‘exorcises 1MDB ghosts’ by reviving development

Australia's Lendlease leads real estate project formerly owned by scandal-hit state fund

12 February 2019
Australia's housing market has been carrying the economy since the mining boom fizzled, but now there are fears that a housing slump could sap growth.
Economy

Housing slump forces Australia to revise down growth forecasts

Central bank sees 3% gain in 2019 as policymakers turn less hawkish

8 February 2019
Australia's banking industry has long failed to act in the best interests of clients.
Opinion

Australia will rue missed chance to cut banks down to size

Commission addressed misconduct but not underlying problems in an over-mighty sector

8 February 2019
The Australian government passed a law in November last year banning foreign nationals from making political donations amid accusations that Chinese living in Australia were trying to sway its policy.
Politics

Australia pushes back on Beijing's alleged influence-buying drive

Canberra strips Chinese billionaire of residency in first test of security law

7 February 2019
Australian banks must change their "profits before people" culture, according to the head of an inquiry into the institutions' practices.
Companies

NAB top brass quits after damning Australian banking report

Shares rally as report skirts radical solutions to industry's abuses

7 February 2019
An iron mine in the state of Western Australia. Rural economies in Australia have been hit by falling commodity prices.
Politics

Jobs and traffic jams take center stage in Australia election

Ruling camp tries to catch up in polls amid troubling signs in housing

7 February 2019
Huawei is being indicted by the U.S. Justice Department on charges of intellectual property thefts and U.S. sanctions violations.(Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Companies

Huawei warns Australians face higher 5G prices after ban

Company forced to refocus in country after "unreasonable" bar

5 February 2019
Misconduct at Australia's four major banks and other institutions emerged around 2014.
Economy

Australia banks face heavier oversight following scandals

Royal commission lambastes financial industry for taking care of itself before customers

4 February 2019
A worker assembles parts at BMW Group factory in Jakarta.
Economy

Southeast Asia bucks trend of sinking global foreign investment

Strong markets make region the world's main driver of FDI growth

4 February 2019
Chinese tennis star Li Na, left, No. 2 in the world in 2014, then the highest ranking achieved by an Asian player, hands the Australian Open trophy to Naomi Osaka.
Economy

Asian money funds Australia's challenge to US Open

Grand Slam tournament sets attendance and prize money records

2 February 2019
Premium brands of baby formula often run out as savvy Chinese snatch them off supermarket shelves to resell them for a profit at home.
International relations

Chinese demand for formula brings Aussie howls of 'stealing from babies'

15 years after deadly melamine scandal, mainland parents still look overseas

31 January 2019
Smooth and effective implementation is the key to the success of CPTPP.
Opinion

The Unsexy Challenge of CPTPP

Members must focus on implementing the trade accord, or risk embarrassment

23 January 2019
The housing market contraction poses a threat to Australia's 27-year streak of economic growth.
Economy

Australian home prices slide as Chinese money dries up

December marks sharpest fall in 35 years, casting shadow on economy's resilience

23 January 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, meets with Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas on Jan. 16 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. (Photo by AAP)
International relations

Australian leader embarks on Pacific trip to regain 'backyard'

Morrison pledges high-quality infrastructure as neighbors deepen ties with China

17 January 2019
Australian coal prices are rising, due in large part to stronger demand from China and industry consolidation.
Commodities

Coal expected to be Australia's most valuable export in 2018-19

Recovering demand lifts prices, underscoring dependence on China

13 January 2019
 Picky Japanese diners are warming up to rice from Down Under.
Commodities

Australian rice finds favor in Japan as cheaper option

Price surge for domestic varieties and TPP-11 quota drive import trend

12 January 2019
Japanese naval self-defense forces on patrol. Tokyo has stepped up intelligence sharing with Five Eyes members on China's military activities in the South China Sea and on North Korean smuggling.
International relations

Japan lends its vision to 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance

Deepening ties focus on sharing information as China's presence grows

10 January 2019
Melons are harvested in Yubari, Hokkaido, in May 2018. If the new Japan-Australia project succeeds, it will allow farmers to market a continuous stream of produce throughout the year.
Economy

Japan and Australia to try out year-round fruit production

Project will take advantage of seasonal difference to grow high-end products for export

9 January 2019
An excavator at an Australian iron ore mine. Chinese imports of such natural resources fueled Australia's growth, but the trade war threatens to squeeze the Asian economy.
Currencies

China-reliant Australian dollar at trade war's mercy

Investors flee as Chinese slowdown threatens to hurt resource exports

8 January 2019