Politics

A lone power shovel works at a road construction site in Yakawlang, Afghanistan.
Economy

Think the RCEP is about free trade? Think again

Beijing-led pact is aimed at saving China's own economy via the Belt and Road

27 April 2017
Former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman
Economy

If US won't lead on trade, China will: Ex-US trade rep

Michael Froman urges engagement in Asia-Pacific to counter Beijing's influence

27 April 2017
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, center, visits the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on April 20. Flanking him are the mosque's grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar, left, and its chairman, Muhammad Muzammil Basyuni. (Pool)
Politics

Trump's No. 2 brings an olive branch to Asia

Vice President Mike Pence reaches out to Muslims to defuse anti-US sentiment

27 April 2017
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, center, visits the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on April 20. Flanking him are the mosque's grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar, left, and its chairman, Muhammad Muzammil Basyuni. (Pool)
Politics

Trump's No. 2 brings an olive branch to Asia

Vice President Mike Pence reaches out to Muslims to defuse anti-US sentiment

26 April 2017
A newly-constructed home is listed as sold on an advertising board in the Sydney suburb town.
Politics

Soaring house prices turn 'Australian dream' into nightmare

Canberra mulls tax changes as young workers are squeezed out of the market

25 April 2017
The signing ceremony for the TPP was held in February 2016.
Economy

Japan pushing to preserve agreed-on TPP framework

In resurrecting the pact without US, Tokyo hopes to avoid renegotiation

21 April 2017
Representatives of 14 Pacific nations reached agreement on the PACER Plus regional trade pact in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday (Courtesy Office of New Zealand Minister of Trade Negotiations)
Politics

14-nation Pacific pact breaks through trade gloom

But critic doubts significance of deal without Fiji and Papua New Guinea

20 April 2017
Ministers from TPP signatories gather in Chile in March for their first meeting since Washington's announcement of its withdrawal from the trade pact.
Economy

Australia wants TPP despite US exit: trade minister

Canberra sees benefits for smaller businesses, easier trade and investment

20 April 2017
HMNZS Hawea, a New Zealand navy inshore patrol boat, heading to the South Pacific on a diplomatic mission. (Photo by Michael Field)
Politics

Fiji enlists New Zealand navy to help patrol seas

Pacific state turns back to neighbor after cosying up with China, Russia

14 April 2017
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and other U.S. naval vessels participate in an exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers in this photo dated March 28. (Photo by U.S. Navy via Sipa USA)
Politics

North Korea-US saber rattling ramps up tension in Asia

Arrival of special forces and carrier group backs up the US vow to deal with Kim

13 April 2017
Captured cane toads. (Photo courtesy of the Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife)
Politics

Australia steps up battle against toxic cane toads

Researchers hope 'sickening sausage' will teach native carnivores to shun poisonous amphibian

12 April 2017
A contingent of Aboriginal protesters leads the "March in March" demonstration in Sydney on March 25.
Politics

One country, two laws in Australia's racialized justice system

Decades after landmark report, Australia again confronts indigenous incarceration

8 April 2017
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Economy

Papua New Guinea's O'Neill predicts election victory

Allegations of instability and corruption are overblown, says the prime minister

6 April 2017
Delegates gather for the Indian Ocean Rim Association Leaders' Summit 2017 in Jakarta on March 7.
Economy

Indian Ocean economic bloc plagued by uncertainty

First gathering of IORA leaders receives lackluster response

31 March 2017
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Politics

Papua New Guinea PM 'reasonably confident' about election

Corruption overblown, and rioting just an 'isolated case,' O'Neill argues

29 March 2017
A farmer herds cattle toward stockyards near the outback Queensland town of Aramac, west of Brisbane, Australia.
International relations

Brazil meat scandal opens way for Aussie beef in China

New agreement could see beef exports to mainland reach A$1bn

28 March 2017
Police officers in riot gear stand guard in front of pro-tolerance protestors on the sidelines of a rally organized by far right group Reclaim Australia.
Politics

Australia's race discrimination reforms spark debate

Opponents fear law change will embolden bigots in multicultural nation

28 March 2017
Pro-China demonstrators gather outside Parliament House in Canberra on March 23 ahead of the arrival of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
Politics

China blocks Sydney-based academic from returning to Australia

Efforts to recruit ethnic Chinese in propaganda campaigns spark concerns

27 March 2017
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, right, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang agreed to further develop bilateral and multilateral trade frameworks.
Economy

Amid doubts over US role in trade, Australia jumps at beef deal with China

Canberra need not choose between the two powers, Turnbull reiterates

25 March 2017
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, right, stands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his wife Cheng Hong for their countries' national anthems before an official luncheon in Canberra on March 23.
Politics

On being allied to Trump's America

Australia struggles for alternatives to long-standing partnership

24 March 2017
Stream article image
The Trump effect

Trump's shifting China views raise specter of Asian turmoil

Beijing taking advantage of US president's penchant for deals

23 March 2017
New Caledonia's Ouaieme River opens into the bay of the same name.
Politics

Tensions rise in New Caledonia as it mulls a break with France

Bougainville and Guam are also moving toward referendums on constitutional status

16 March 2017
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, right, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center, and South African President Jacob Zuma attend a news conference at the Indian Ocean Rim Association leaders summit in Jakarta on March 7.
Politics

Indian Ocean rim leaders call for closer ties amid globalization backlash

Indonesian host Widodo warns of the 'explosive' mix of technology and populism

7 March 2017
Australia's "One Nation" party leader Pauline Hanson
Politics

With nationalist agenda, 'Australia's Trump' advances ahead of poll

Polls suggest anti-immigrant 'One Nation' party is gaining ground ahead of state elections

6 March 2017
A man crosses a road in central Sydney.
Politics

Experts push for concrete action on obesity in Australia

With one in four children overweight, a public health crisis is looming

2 March 2017