Category: China-Australia Relations

Chinese Companies Help CCP Manipulate Global Opinion on Social Media: Report

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) cyber influence campaigns against Western democracies on social media have become more frequent, sophisticated, and effective in recent years, according to a new report. More Chinese government agencies, such as Chinese company Qi An Xin, have been involved. Named “Gaming Public Opinion,” the report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute…


Australian Minister Travels to China In Attempt to Resolve Barley Trade War

Australian trade minister Don Farrell is heading to Beijing to meet his counterpart in the country’s latest effort to resolve the long-term trade dispute with China. The minister departed for China on May 11 following an invitation from Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a virtual meeting between the two sides in February. At the…


After 1,000 Days of Detention, Calls Continue for CCP to Release Detained Australian Journalist

After 1,000 days of detention, public calls continue for the release of Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei. “Today marks 1,000 days since Ms. Cheng was unjustly detained in China in August 2020,” said Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham. “It is impossible for any of us outside this situation to imagine…


NATO to Open First Asia-Pacific Office in Japan: Reports

NATO is reportedly planning to open a liaison office in Tokyo, the first in the Asia-Pacific region, as it moves to deepen ties with Asia-Pacific nations amid increasing concerns over the threat of China’s communist regime. Nikkei Asia reported that the regional office would allow the military alliance to conduct consultations with its key Asia-Pacific…


Australia Offers $50,000 Bonus To Stem Defence Personnel Turnover

Australian soldiers and staff will be offered a $50,000 (US$33,170) bonus payment as part of a wider effort to stem the ongoing loss of personnel in the country’s defence force. Attrition or the rate of personnel leaving the Australian Defence Force (ADF), hovers at around 10 percent each year, which equates to 5,000-6,000 individuals. The…


Third-Party Report on TikTok Security Omits Key Details: Cyber Expert

A report commissioned by Chinese social media giant TikTok supposed to dampen its security issues has been criticised by cybersecurity firm Internet 2.0. Robert Potter, head of the firm, said the third-party report, compiled by Prof. Nigel Phair missed vital details. “Certain data access points, such as clipboard access, advertisement ID, and biometric data, have been…


Senator Backs ‘Foreign Legion’ Concept to Bolster Flagging Aussie Military Recruitment

Australia should open up military recruitment to neighbouring Pacific Islanders, says Senator Jacqui Lambie, who says the move will help deal with ongoing recruitment problems in the defence force. “Pacific Islanders and New Zealanders … they’ve been going to and from this country for a long time,” Lambie told Sky News on May 1. “There’s…


With the Defence Review Now Done, the Real Work Must Begin

Commentary Australia faces the most dangerous and uncertain region since the Second World War. This is the stark conclusion of the Defence Strategic Review which was released on the eve of ANZAC Day. The conclusion is not new: co-author, Sir Angus Houston, 75, the former Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), said previously that…


With the Defence Review Now Done, Questions Still Remain

Commentary Australia faces the most dangerous and uncertain region since the Second World War. This is the stark conclusion of the Defence Strategic Review which was released on the eve of ANZAC Day. The conclusion is not new: co-author, Sir Angus Houston, 75, the former Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), said previously that…


WeChat Derailing Democracy, Must Be Regulated in Democratic Nations: Expert

An expert has warned that countries around the world should regulate WeChat because it is actively seeking to undermine political systems and civil societies. WeChat, which is alternatively known as Weixin, is a Chinese instant messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by the Chinese company Tencent. Seth Kaplan, Ph.D., a professorial lecturer at Johns…