Politics

Sailors wave from the New Zealand vessel HMNZS Te Kaha. The country seeks to "ensure its interoperability" with fellow Five Eyes members the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia.
Indo-Pacific

New Zealand warns of 'assertive' China in 1st national security strategy

Document highlights Beijing's influence and infrastructure-building in Pacific region

5 August 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron in Port Moresby on July 28: Macron chose not to visit any major partner like Australia on his Pacific tour, prioritizing smaller actors. (Sipa via AP)
Opinion

Macron is not giving up France's role as a Pacific player

President offers 'alternative' for states squeezed between U.S. and China

4 August 2023
A U.S. Marine guides an MV-22B Osprey into position at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin in northern Australia in April 2017. The base is currently being used by the U.S. military.
Indo-Pacific

U.S. to upgrade 2 more Australian air bases amid China tensions

Allies to step up local weapons production as U.S. stockpile dwindles

29 July 2023
A march on July 7 in Melbourne held as part of a weeklong celebration of Australia's native peoples. 
Opinion

Indigenous Australians must finally get a say over their fate

'No' vote in Voice referendum would preserve British settler origin myth

28 July 2023
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, left, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles hold a news conference in Brisbane on July 28. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
Defense

U.S., Australia to 'integrate' Japan into defense initiatives: Austin

In Brisbane, Pentagon chief spotlights China's 'troubling' coercion in Indo-Pacific

28 July 2023
Australian and U.S. navy ships sail in the South China Sea. The new security pact between Australia and Papua New Guinea could allow for closer trilateral cooperation.
Indo-Pacific

Australia-Papua New Guinea security pact delayed on sovereignty debate

Concerns rise in Pacific nation following similar agreement with U.S.

28 July 2023
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape speak to reporters in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby on July 27. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. to deploy coast guard ship to Papua New Guinea next month

Defense chief Austin vows to deepen bilateral cooperation with eye on China

27 July 2023
Visitors stand in front of a giant screen displaying Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military museum in Beijing. Some Japanese experts say a China-led international system is an unrealistic scenario.
Indo-Pacific

'China-led order won't materialize': Japan experts call for realism

Tokyo should team with 'middle powers' for more autonomy, new report says

25 July 2023
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks at a news conference in April. The central bank is this week set to make its latest monetary policy decision.
Your Week in Asia

Marcos State of the Nation Address, Thailand PM choice, BOJ meeting

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

23 July 2023
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will visit Papua New Guinea in late July, the first-ever visit to the country by a sitting head of the Pentagon. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
Defense

U.S. military to use Papua New Guinea naval base for 15 years

Pentagon chief to make rare visit to Pacific island nation as China steps up outreach

21 July 2023
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, left, with Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo in 2022. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

The right lessons to take from Australia-Japan defense cooperation

RAA negotiations should be seen as exceptional rather than as a benchmark

20 July 2023
Michele Bullock has worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia since 1985 after joining as an intern. (AAP/via Reuters)
Economy

Australia picks Michele Bullock as its first female central bank head

RBA veteran expected to ensure continuity as nation battles soaring costs

14 July 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with then-Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby in 2018. 
International relations

China woos Papua New Guinea with free trade push

Beijing leverages frustrations over economic ties with U.S., Australia

12 July 2023
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, pictured in 2019.
International relations

Solomon Islands leader visits China with focus on infrastructure

PM Sogavare pledges to "remain neutral" amid China-U.S. competition

9 July 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, speaks as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese listens during a joint statement in Sydney on July 4.
International relations

Australia extends business visas for Indonesians

Leaders Albanese and Widodo promote economic ties at Sydney meeting

4 July 2023
Indonesian leader Joko Widodo's tenure has seen improved diplomatic and economic ties with neighbor Australia. (Source photos  by AP, Reuters and Getty)
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi eyes EV lithium deals on Australia visit

Boosting trade in focus at meeting with PM Anthony Albanese

3 July 2023
The Solomon Islands established formal diplomatic relations with China in 2019 after cutting ties with Taiwan.
International relations

Solomon Islands grapples with disinformation as China stands to gain

Nikkei analysis hints at Beijing's influence through social media

28 June 2023
A carbon capture and storage facility in Canada. The technology is considered indispensable for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Climate Change

Japan to propose carbon capture rules with ASEAN, Australia

Guidelines expected to lower costs and building times for storage facilities

22 June 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suffered a major setback after his centerpiece policy to deal with one of the world's most unaffordable housing markets was put on the back burner. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Property

Australia's housing affordability crisis shakes Albanese government

With election on horizon, many in country struggling to buy homes or pay rent

21 June 2023
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. says one of the biggest threats to his country is rising sea levels caused by climate change (Photo by Kohei Fujimura) 
Interview

Palau leader calls on U.S. for help over Chinese ships in its waters

Pacific island nation's president says he won't cut Taiwan ties despite tensions

15 June 2023
NATO headquarters in Brussels. The alliance is deepening partnerships with the AP4 nations of the Indo-Pacific.
Indo-Pacific

NATO to upgrade ties with Australia, New Zealand, South Korea

Together with Japan, four nations will have tailored partnership programs

13 June 2023
Trilateral coast guard exercises between Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. in June: Countries with shared interests should coordinate for efficient capacity building.
Opinion

Southeast Asia's partners must coordinate maritime security support

Programs are boosting regional capacity, but overlap distracts from missions

13 June 2023
Australia is aiming to lure tech sector skills with a proposed immigration policy review. © AAP
Politics

Australia to overhaul immigration policy, joining race for talent

As migrant nation tries to lure highly skilled professionals, SMEs grow worried

12 June 2023
Andrew Yates, CEO of KPMG Australia, testifies in Canberra on June 7 at a Senate hearing related to the PwC tax scandal. (AAP)
Opinion

Australia is finally waking up to the 'Big Con'

Hearings on PwC's leakage of tax plans have uncovered shocking web of conflicts

11 June 2023
Royal Australian Navy replenishment vessel HMAS Starwart and submarine tender USS Frank Cable are moored at HMAS Stirling Navy Base in Perth. The Australian base is expected to become a key maintenance hub under the AUKUS pact.
Indo-Pacific

Quad needs more muscle to live up to potential: think tank

Share ports and shipyards for refueling, rearming and repairs, USSC says

7 June 2023