Politics

Di Sanh "Sunny" Duong arrives for sentencing at the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Feb. 29.
Politics

Australian court jails man for foreign interference in favor of China

Di Sanh Duong aimed to influence policy; is first person sentenced under new law

29 February 2024
While Australia has become home for tens of thousands of former Hong Kong residents in the wake of the city's draconian new security law, campaigners say Canberra should be doing more to recruit Hong Kong talent and accelerate asylum approvals.
Asia Insight

In China's shadow, Hong Kong escapees urge Australia to raise visa game

Amid Canberra-Beijing thaw, asylum seekers left in limbo as program for workers, graduates grows

27 February 2024
The Australian warship HMAS Stalwart conducts a dual replenishment at sea. (Australian Department of Defence)
Defense

Australia boosts navy funding to build largest fleet since WWII

Government adds $7.2bn to double warships, citing 'uncertain world'

20 February 2024
Peng Shuai playing at the U.S. Open in 2019. The Women's Tennis Association canceled tournaments in China after the player went missing following her 2021 sexual assault allegations.
Sports

China powers women's tennis despite Peng Shuai's uncertain fate

Questions linger over Chinese star's safety after high-profile sexual assault claims

11 February 2024
This undated, file photo shows Yang Hengjun and his wife Yuan Xiaoliang.
International relations

Yang Hengjun's death sentence shows power of China's secret service

Ministry of State Security sends message to would-be pro-democracy activists

8 February 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, greets Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at Parliament House in Canberra on Feb. 8. (AAP Image via AP)
International relations

PNG's Marape hails close ties in Australia speech as China seeks inroads

Address follows reports Beijing wants a security deal with the Pacific state

8 February 2024
A Chinese national flag waves outside the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court where Australian writer Yang Hengjun faced trial on espionage charges in May 2021.
International relations

Australia 'appalled' after China hands writer suspended death sentence

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says ambassador summoned over Yang Hengjun case

5 February 2024
A man votes in Tuvalu's general elections in Funafuti on Jan. 26. (Tuvalu Election Office via Reuters)
Politics

Tuvalu votes as election spotlights climate migration, Taiwan ties

Outcome could affect security deal with Australia and Pacific geopolitics

26 January 2024
A branch of Australian health insurer Medibank Private in Sydney. A 2022 security breach led to the theft of millions of records.
Crime

Australia sanctions Russian hacker for Medibank breach

Aleksandr Ermakov is the first person penalized under new cyber laws

23 January 2024
Australian writer Yang Hengjun was tried on espionage charges at the No. 2 Intermediate People's Court in Beijing.
International relations

Renewed calls for China to free Australian writer Yang five years on

Beijing envoy says case differs from that of released Australian journalist Cheng

19 January 2024
A dispute between dockworkers in Australia and DP World, the country's largest port operator, is causing problems for the economy.
Supply Chain

Australian port dispute brings increasing pain to economy

Union tries to avoid arbitrator intervention, minister rules out stepping in

18 January 2024
Xiao Qian, China's ambassador to Australia, speaks at a news briefing on Jan. 17.
International relations

China eyes defense ties reboot with Australia despite Taiwan tensions

Beijing envoy Xiao suggests Japan injured Australian divers in naval incident

17 January 2024
A United States Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fires a missile in Australia's Northern Territory. (Photo courtesy of Australian Department of Defence)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Australia inks Lockheed Martin deal to build guided missiles at home

Contract worth $24m part of broader plans to cover arsenal's 'strike gap'

16 January 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said William Lai Ching-te's election victory was a "matter for the people of Taiwan." (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kento Awashima and Reuters)
Taiwan elections

Australia cautions Beijing to 'respect' outcome of Taiwan elections

China appeared to dismiss Democratic Progressive Party's victory in weekend polls

16 January 2024
Douglas Hsu, Taiwan's chief representative in Australia, speaks online to Nikkei Asia on Jan. 12. 
Defense

Taiwan 'open' to deeper AUKUS ties amid election meddling fears

Representative to Australia highlights growing China interference in cyberspace

12 January 2024
A Lynas worker walks past sacks of rare earth concentrate waiting to be shipped to Malaysia, at Mount Weld, northeast of Perth, in 2019. Australia is funding rare earth and critical mineral research.
Commodities

Australia funds rare earth research as West seeks China alternatives

Canberra to spend $14m to boost rare earth and critical minerals sectors

8 January 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hold a joint press conference at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices in Sydney on Dec. 20.
Defense

New Zealand 'interested in exploring' AUKUS opportunities

PM Luxon meets Australia's Albanese on first official trip overseas

20 December 2023
An independent inquiry found Australia's visa system to be broken, with applications backed up for years.
Opinion

Australia is getting a better grip on immigration

Government puts new focus on quality, timeliness and economic competitiveness

20 December 2023
A Virginia-class attack submarine is seen in the waters off Washington state. The NDAA authorizes the sale of three such submarines to Australia. (U.S. Navy)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. defense bill strengthens military ties with AUKUS, Japan

Congress authorizes 3 nuclear-powered subs for Australia

9 December 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under pressure to build nuclear reactors to help his country achieve its climate goals. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP)
Energy

Albanese urged to end Australia nuclear 'ban' to hit net-zero goal

PM under domestic, international pressure to help decarbonize economy

8 December 2023
Bananas and melons from Queensland are sold on a trial basis at a store in Yokohama in November. (Photo by Nikkei)
Food & Beverage

Australia wants Japanese shoppers to go bananas for its fruits

'Eco' bananas and 'winter season' mangoes promoted for promising market

8 December 2023
A pedestrian walks past a real estate agency in Sydney's central business district on Nov. 15.
Politics

Australia's Albanese faces immigration heat as house prices soar

First-time buyers getting squeezed out of property market

6 December 2023
AUKUS leaders U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gather at a naval base in San Diego in March 2023.
Defense

AUKUS to step up testing of maritime drones amid China buildup

U.S., U.K. and Australian defense chiefs vow to advance open Indo-Pacific

2 December 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, stands with AUKUS partners U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a March meeting in California.
Defense

Australia looks to restrict defense tech access by foreigners

Protecting AUKUS secrets is goal, but universities worry about joint research

1 December 2023
A U.S. guided-missile destroyer fires a Tomahawk missile in a training area. Japan seeks to acquire Tomahawks. (U.S. Navy handout via Reuters)
Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific to see huge missile buildup by 2030s, Carnegie analyst says

To avoid escalation, countries should 'forswear preemptive attacks' on national leaders

28 November 2023