AAP/Jason Reed
Even for a government that has recently made an artform of policy backflips, the Abbott government’s belated, but seemingly inevitable decision to join China’s proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment…
Treasurer Joe Hockey makes the opening remarks at the Australia-China Business Council.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Treasurer Joe Hockey has indicated the government is preparing to announce Australia will enter negotiations to join China’s infrastructure bank.
China: capital of a new world order?
EPA/Takaki Yajima/Pool
The cascade of US allies looking to join China’s new development bank should come as no surprise.
Even in retirement, the late Lee Kuan Yew cast a long shadow from which Singapore has yet to fully emerge.
EPA/Stephen Morrison
Lee Kuan Yew literally helped put Singapore on the map. Its subsequent influence far outstrips the tiny island’s geopolitical significance.
Attendants wait to serve delegates with water during the opening of the annual full session of the National People’s Congress, the country’s parliament, at Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, March 5, 2015.
Jason Lee/Reuters
Once China claimed to lead the way in equality for women. Today, women are warned they will be “leftovers” if they don’t produce children.
In the end, Tony Abbott – pictured with Xi Jinping and mining magnate Andrew Forrest – can’t ignore the economic consequences of snubbing China’s investment bank.
AAP/Alan Porritt
The US gravely miscalculated in trying to get China to accept the existing global order. Forced to make a choice, America’s closest allies are joining the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank.
China’s government says it plans to tackle smog, but has also moved to shut down criticism on the issue in the wake of a popular online documentary.
EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Under the Dome, a hugely popular online documentary about China’s smog crisis, could be as influential as 1962’s US pesticide exposé Silent Spring - but only if Chinese officials allow debate to flourish.
Since the founding members signed on to the the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in China last October, more Western powers have agreed to join.
Takaki Yajima/EPA/AAP
It makes sense for Australia to join Britain and New Zealand in the newly created AIIB, but it’s unlikely we will have any significant influence over the organisation.
China could be returning to Mao’s idea that students should be both ‘red and expert’.
Today is a good day/flickr
Debate is raging in China on what kind of ideas should be shaping the next generation.
China has been the manufacturer to the world on the back of low wages. But authorities are now targeting innovation.
Flickr/Chris dcmaster
Once the world’s factory, China is shooting up the innovation rankings. There are important lessons there for Australia.
One of the victims of child abduction in China was rescued by authorites.
FutureChina/EPA
The BBC has uncovered an open online market for children but this has been happening for years.
Even the funkiest skyscrapers can’t stand out in the Beijing smog.
EPA
We’ve seen smog before, but never on this scale.
AAP/Joel Carrett
There can’t be too many people in Australia who don’t recognise that the health of the Australian economy is increasingly determined in China. The boom and all-too-predictable bust in the resource sector…
This lake is not supposed to be green.
Greenpeace China
More intensive agriculture has reduced poverty, but China’s environment can’t handle the pressure.
It’ll take more than a winning smile to win over Africa.
Reuters
China supplanted the US as Africa’s biggest partner in 2009, but the Americans are hoping to catch up.
The mighty Leviathan is back.
Shutterstock
Not too long ago, state capitalism was considered a relic of the mid-20th century. Not anymore.
Can the West look the Dalai Lama in the eye?
EPA/Daniel Bockwoldt
Liberal values are under siege around the world. Their most dogged defender must not be left out in the cold.
Celebrations in China for its lunar year see a seasonal plunge in output - but it’s good news for Australia.
AAP/EPA/Rolex Dela Pena
In China, the value of output produced in the December quarter drops a staggering 53%. And it’s down to New Year celebrations.
Despite a cease fire, military activities continue in Ukraine.
Gleb Garanich/Reuters
US and European policy is pushing Russia into China’s arms.
Taking no chances: a joint US-Philippines military exercise.
EPA/Noel Celis
China is building artificial islands to exert military influence in the South China Sea. Could this bring military conflict back to a long-peaceful region?