Michelle Grattan discusses the increasing strain on the Australia-China relationship following the arrest of Dr. Yang Hengjun, and the government’s draft religious discrimination legislation.
As crucial as the Australia-China relationship might be for Australia’s economic well being, the indications suggest the ups and downs may get rougher.
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Australia is being very explicit in response to concerns about China at the moment, increasingly prepared to put aside the imperatives of diplomacy when necessary.
Australian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, but China has released no details of the allegations to date.
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The espionage allegation against the Australian writer comes against a backdrop of rising trade and political tensions – and the Australian government’s response is hardening.
The Chinese government has reacted sharply to Australia’s pressure on Yang with a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry saying: “Australia should respect China’s judicial sovereignty”.
Lukas Coch/AAP
As the Australian government continues to pressure China over Yang Hengjun’s formal arrest, Yang has appealed to Scott Morrison to please “help me go home as soon as possible”.
Professor of Public Ethics, Clive Hamilton, has warned that unless Australian universities act decisively, they will live “under the ever-darkening shadow of Beijing”.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Professor of Public Ethics, Clive Hamilton, has accused “many” vice-chancellors of of losing sight of academic freedom, under the pressure of revenue and influence from China.
Dr Yang has been held in Beijing under harsh conditions, without access to lawyers or family for more than seven months before being formally arrested.
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Outspoken Australian-Chinese democracy advocate Dr Yang Hengjun has been formally arrested in China on suspicion of spying, further straining relations between the two countries.
Can Scott Morrison maintain the image of separation from the Canberra elite, given he’s its most powerful member?
AAP/The Conversation
After 12 months as prime minister, Morrison looks the strong leader, clearly in charge, with few constraints. But will he make a substantial entry in the history book of Australian prime ministers?
The Morrison government is at risk of losing control of China policy at the most critical time in Australian history.
AAP/EPA/Thomas Peter/pool
Backbencher Andrew Hastie’s recent opinion piece has caused ructions within the government, but Scott Morrison needs to articulate a clear policy on China that also allows for dissenting voices.
Expertise on the inner workings of the Chinese Communist Party is spread dangerously thin across Australia.
Dave Hung/AAP
Australia must develop the intellectual acumen to see the world through China’s leaders’ eyes to manage the relationship on its own terms.
The chairman of the powerful parliamentary committee on intelligence and security, Andrew Hastie, issued a warning about China’s rise last week.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The government is trying to shut down backbench contributions in the name of the “national interest”, but it is more an exercise of attempted control in its own interest.
Foreign minister Marise Payne’s trip to China last November signalled a thawing in relations with China.
Thomas Peter/AAP
Former Trade Minister Andrew Robb’s criticism may be a little exaggerated, but there’s no doubt the relationship is tricky and still needs work.
Since the Whitlam government in 1972, the major parties have taken a similar approach to managing relations with China, albeit with a few key differences.
AAP/EPA/Roman Pilipey
No matter who forms government after the next election, managing Australia’s relationship with China will continue to be a major challenge, and vitally important in a region remaking itself.
Darwin Port, leased to Landbridge Industry Australia, a subsidiary of Shandong Landbridge, for 99 years.
John Garrick
Darwin is now on the front line in managing tensions between Australia’s most important strategic ally and partner and its major trading partner.
A single foreign company having sole ownership and control over Australia’s most significant gas transmission business, says Australia’s treasurer, is not in the national interest.
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Hong Kong’s CKI taking over Australian infrastructure company APA Group has been ruled against the national interest. That’s rare, but not a huge deal.
A diplomatic thaw has occurred between Australia and China, as Foreign Minister Marise Payne meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
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Marise Payne this week became the first Australian foreign minister to visit China in three years – another indication that the frost in the relationship is thawing.
In a recent speech, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attempted to reset Australia’s relationship with China, which has become strained in recent months.
AAP/EPA/Kanzaburo Fukuhara / POOL
The prime minister’s China “reset” speech indicates he has yielded to diplomatic advice to separate domestic politics from foreign policy.
The ADF’s powers to search, seize and control movement at the scene of an incident will be simplified, expanded and made clearer.
Australian Department of Defence
The bill makes it easier for states and territories to seek help from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to respond to terrorist and other violent occurrences.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, pictured at an Australia China Business Council event at Parliament House last week, knows the country can’t afford to shut the door on Chinese investment.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Chinese financing and know-how present both a threat and an opportunity for infrastructure development. Australia can benefit from proactively identifying needs that Chinese investment can help meet.
The Gold Coast Suns train in Shanghai ahead of their clash with Port Power this weekend.
AAP/David Mariuz
Sport has a history of providing opportunities for détente, or at least discussion - and there’s every chance the AFL’s latest venture to China could do just that.
The Australian government hopes to finalise the Free Trade Agreement with China by the end of the year.
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This week treasurer Joe Hockey, and trade minister Andrew Robb have been in China for the inaugural Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue. These talks are one part of the “Strategic Partnership…
Honorary Professor, School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Canada; Adjunct Fellow, Olympic Scholar and Co-Director of the Olympic and Paralympic Research Centre, Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University