Politics

The EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, right, is greeted by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on Aug, 5. (Photo from Vietnam government's press release)
Opinion

EU should expand maritime activity in Southeast Asia as China looms

New defense pact with Vietnam foreshadows bigger role in global security

9 August 2019
New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson said his country needs to diversify its trading partners. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Interview

New Zealand looks beyond China to survive trade war: minister

Wellington 'not immune' to conflict as it braces for slow growth

7 August 2019
Gambling junkets from China to Crown Resorts casinos have drawn media and law enforcement scrutiny in Australia.
International relations

Xi cousin embroiled in Australian casino money laundering probe

Ming Chai frequented resorts that arranged fast-tracked visas for high rollers

2 August 2019
American pork exports to Japan are down as Tokyo slashes tariffs of imports from other countries. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
International relations

US loses out as Japan cuts meat and wine duties for others

TPP members and EU reap benefits of rising consumer demand

31 July 2019
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, poses with the leaders of Pacific island countries in a photo session during their meeting in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, in May 2018.
International relations

Japan, US and Australia push back on China's South Pacific expansion

Tokyo advocates 'free and open Indo-Pacific' and promises economic aid

3 July 2019
The Solomon Islands has become the principal target in the region of Beijing's diplomatic effort to win away Taiwan's remaining allies. (Reuters/AP)
Interview

Solomon Islands PM 'aware' of risks of Chinese debt

Government still considering merit of switching ties from Taipei to Beijing

26 June 2019
The national flag of Papua New Guinea flies in front of boats berthed in Port Moresby. China's Huawei has won a bid to build the country's telecommunications network.
International relations

Japan, US and Australia begin own 'Belt and Road' in South Pacific

Three countries plan $1bn loan for LNG project in Papua New Guinea

25 June 2019
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has urged the US and China to resolve their trade dispute.
Trade war

Australia urges US and China to resolve trade war

Treasurer Josh Frydneberg says trade differences weighing on global economy

7 June 2019
Pichet Durongkaveroj, Thailand's minister of digital economy and society, speaks at the Future of Asia conference on May 31. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
The Future of Asia 2019

Thailand casts wide net for 5G partners amid Huawei concerns

Ericsson and Nokia are among the potential beneficiaries

31 May 2019
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull defends his decision to block Huawei at the Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 31. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
The Future of Asia 2019

'Enormous capability' of 5G justifies Huawei caution, Turnbull says

Australia's former PM warns 'intent can change in a heartbeat'

31 May 2019
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O'Neill addresses the United Nations General Assembly in 2017.
26 May 2019
Scott Morrison, right, gives some meat to Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill: Morrison projected himself as a good barbecue host.
Opinion

Morrison -- never mind the barbecue, where's the beef?

Victorious Australian leader's folksy pitch reassures Trump but offers few foreign policy lines

21 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison waves to supporters in Sydney on May 19. The conservative Liberal-National coalition is projected to secure an outright majority in the lower house of parliament.
Politics

Australia's conservatives set to win a majority in lower house

Benchmark stock index surges to 11-year high on news of coalition victory

20 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to supporters after his opponent, Labor Party leader Bill Shorten, conceded defeat in the federal election in Sydney on Sunday.
Politics

Australia's conservatives owe 'miracle' win to economic promises

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's shrewd marketing proves successful

19 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, gestures after casting his ballot in a federal election in Sydney.
Politics

Australia's government pulls off shock win in federal election

Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks to remain in office

19 May 2019
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, faces off against Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Politics

Early returns point to Labor win in Australian federal election

Slower economy brings Liberal-National coalition to brink of defeat

18 May 2019
Some economists say they are worried that the Labor Party's tax policies could hurt Australia's housing market.
Politics

Australia elections pit landlords against renters

Labor pledge to end tax breaks for the wealthy met with fears of economic pain

17 May 2019
Balancing relations with China and the U.S. has long been a difficult task for Australia.
International relations

Australia's Labor plans foreign policy pivot to Southeast Asia

If party wins election, it is likely to show a softer attitude to China

15 May 2019
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, right, and Labor leader Bill Shorten take part in "The Leaders' Debate'' in Canberra on May 8.
Politics

Five things to know about the Australian election

Polls point to the first change of government since 2013

13 May 2019
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, faces off against Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Politics

Labor leads over ruling coalition as Australian election nears

Country may see its first change of government in six years in May 18 poll

12 May 2019
The first two leaders' debates of the campaign between Scott Morrison, left, and his challenger Bill Shorten did not discuss foreign policy at all.
Opinion

Time for Australia's campaigning leaders to debate China?

Politicians avoid arousing voter concern despite Huawei and South China Sea disputes

8 May 2019
Climate change, and its effect on Pacific island nations, will be discussed at this year's Asian Development Bank board of governors meeting in Fiji. (Photo by Hisao Kodachi)
2 May 2019
One half of the time Australian prosperity is based on digging things out of the ground and selling them to foreigners at good prices. 
Opinion

Australia's irrelevant election

Short sighted policies have left economy at the mercy of external events

30 April 2019
The Solomon Islands' former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2016.
Politics

Solomon Islands' next prime minister faces choice over Taiwan ties

Taipei's few remaining allies waver in the face of China's investment promises

22 April 2019
Labor Party lead by Bill Shorten, left, seems to be offering the young a bit more than the Coalition of Scott Morrison, right.
Opinion

Australia's struggling youth may decide election

Intergenerational conflict marks polls, with young people angry at poor prospects

22 April 2019