Australia’s recently announced review of its national fuel stockpiles is timely indeed. The country is almost totally reliant on oil being shipped through some of the world’s most contested regions.
China-Vietnam border crossing across Lao Cai bridge.
Wikipedia Commons
The contestation of Asia will continue this year, with many countries facing internal and external battles.
People take pictures of a burning ship as the government destroyed foreign boats that had been caught illegally fishing in Indonesia waters, at Morela village in Ambon island, April 2017.
Antara Foto/Izaac Mulyawan via Reuters
Narratives of nationalism has risen following news about illegal fishing by countries including China in South China Sea. Will nationalistic pride affect regional stability?
U.S. Navy ships operate in formation in the South China Sea.
(U.S. Navy)
China’s actions in the South China Sea are getting scant attention at Davos. But if the Chinese set a precedent for other rogue nations, there will be a profound impact on global free trade.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire, meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, before dinner at the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou, China in September 2016. Trudeau is in China to discuss a trade deal.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in China to discuss a trade deal. It’s laughable for Canada to believe it can negotiate a “progressive” trade agenda with the Chinese.
Donald Trump’s and Rodrigo Duterte’s mutual admiration could bring about a thaw in U.S.-Philippine relations.
Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha
Australia and Indonesia should collaborate to address challenges in the South China Sea and help de-escalate great power tensions.
This display of Chinese characters represents the Chinese leadership’s ‘Five Major Development Concepts’ ahead of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.
Reuters/Thomas Peter
No-one knows quite how things will play out, but most likely Xi will bend the norms of the party to allow him to place enough supporters in key posts without completely upending the system.
A Japanese man watches a TV news program on a public screen in Tokyo showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un amid reports the North Korean leader has inspected a hydrogen bomb meant for a new intercontinental ballistic missile.
(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Now, more than at any time in our history, Australia needs a relationship with China ‘comparable with that which we have, or seek, with other major powers’.
A North Korean ballistic rocket launching drill, undated photo.
REUTERS/ North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)
Tensions in Asia may soon boil over. If U.S. leaders fail to seek pathways to peace, the consequences may be grim, warns former National Security Council member.
Julie Bishop’s comments come ahead of a visit to Australia this month by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
AAP/Lauren Farrow
Julie Bishop has sent an unusually pointed message to China about the importance of democratic institutions.
While Xi Jinping will no doubt continue as general secretary of the party, the question is whether he will be able to install enough people loyal to him.
REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
There are many key events to watch for this year in China, but by far the most significant is the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, likely to be held in November. The congress is held…
Jokowi’s timetable omitted several of the high-profile events planned for the earlier visit.
AAP/David Moir
Jokowi’s visit was a good deal shorter than the one planned for last year. But it did highlight several important issues in the bilateral relationship.