Politics

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
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
Vendors set up their stalls at a roadside market in New Delhi. The South Asian nation is worried that eliminating tariffs would lead to an influx of cheap goods from abroad.  
International relations

Asia trade pact RCEP aims for fall signing, after India elections

Negotiators set to meet in February to restart negotiations

7 January 2019
Scott Morrison's first trip overseas as Australian Prime Minister was to neighboring Indonesia in August.
International relations

Australia's canceled Israel embassy move shows country's Asian concerns

Government buckles amid backlash from Muslim-majority Indonesia and Malaysia

5 January 2019
Voters in some of the Asia-Pacific's biggest economies head to the polls in the new year.
Politics

Incumbents fight to keep power in series of 2019 Asia elections

Thailand, Indonesia, India, Japan, Philippines and Australia brace for new polls

3 January 2019
Although China has tightened its information controls, the country has also shown an interest in helping to create shared, international rules governing data management.
International relations

WTO seeks to ban government raids on corporate data

China and US open to multilateral effort led by Japan, Singapore and Australia

3 January 2019
Tech companies say no one's data is safe without secure encryption. The Australian government says terrorists will imperil safety if encryption cannot be bypassed by authorities.
Politics

Australia shocks global tech community with anti-encryption law

Vaguely worded legislation threatens privacy and security of smartphone users

29 December 2018
Some whales are protected by the IWC, but Japanese officials disagree that certain species are endangered.
26 December 2018
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivers a speech at the Sydney Institute on Saturday.
International relations

Australia recognizes West Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Prime minister says embassy will not move until city's status is settled

16 December 2018
"It concerns us that the rules-based order is under threat," says New Zealand Trade Minister David Parker.
Interview

New Zealand minister fears 'unsettled world' amid Huawei row

David Parker says 'rules-based order' under threat following multiple arrests

13 December 2018
© Illustration by Daniel Garcia
Asia Insight

A small island gets caught in China's Pacific power game with West

Bougainville's huge copper reserves and independence vote draw global interest

11 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
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
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
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
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
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