Xi may speak with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy next week to push China’s peace plan for Ukraine, but we shouldn’t expect radical change in its foreign policy overnight.
The Australian government has been careful not to over-hype the progress, talking about “stabilising” the relationship, rather than using stronger language
Strict lockdowns, quarantines and testing have prevented many people in China from catching COVID-19. With concerns over Chinese vaccine efficacy and uptake, China may be facing a looming COVID-19 surge.
Teresa Wright, California State University, Long Beach
Comparisons have been made to the 1989 demonstrations that led to the Tiananmen Square massacre. An expert on Chinese protests explains why that is half right.
President Xi Jinping may be concerned about a spike in the death rate if China’s tough COVID restrictions are lifted – and the political fallout from it.
The federal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are showing courage in standing up publicly to China. But words must be matched with serious action.
Xi Jinping thought he could chastise Justin Trudeau because this is the lesson the Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper governments had conveyed: Don’t take us seriously when we talk about rights.