Australian Government declares Beijing's South China Sea claims illegal in letter to United NationsShareAustralia has raised the stakes in its already troubled relationship with China by backing the United States in formally declaring Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea to be illegal.In a letter to the United Nations, Australia's permanent mission rejected the Chinese Communist Party's claim to disputed islands in the crucial trading waters, calling them "inconsistent" with international law."The Australian Government rejects any claims by China that are inconsistent with...…Australian Government declares Beijing's South China Sea claims illegal in letter to United NationsShareAustralia has raised the stakes in its already troubled relationship with China by backing the United States in formally declaring Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea to be illegal.In a letter to the United Nations, Australia's permanent mission rejected the Chinese Communist Party's claim to disputed islands in the crucial trading waters, calling them "inconsistent" with international law."The Australian Government rejects any claims by China that are inconsistent with...WW…

Australia joins United States and Japan in naval exercise as concerns grow over ChinaShareFive Australian warships are conducting military exercises in the Philippine Sea alongside the American and Japanese navies, amid simmering regional security tensions with China.The military activity coincides with a warning from US Defence Secretary Mark Esper that America will step up its challenges to Beijing's territorial claims in the region.An Australian Joint Task Group, led by HMAS Canberra, has joined up with the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and a Japanese destroyer for a "trilateral...…Australia joins United States and Japan in naval exercise as concerns grow over ChinaShareFive Australian warships are conducting military exercises in the Philippine Sea alongside the American and Japanese navies, amid simmering regional security tensions with China.The military activity coincides with a warning from US Defence Secretary Mark Esper that America will step up its challenges to Beijing's territorial claims in the region.An Australian Joint Task Group, led by HMAS Canberra, has joined up with the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and a Japanese destroyer for a "trilateral...WW…

Australian-designed AI attack drone prototype unveiled by Boeing ahead of mass productionShareAn Australian-designed military drone that uses artificial intelligence technology to target enemies has been unveiled to the public, the first military plane to be designed and built locally in more than half a century.Developed by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and US manufacturer Boeing, the Loyal Wingman drone has a range of 3,700 kilometres and is expected to eventually join manned aircraft such as Joint Strike Fighters into battle.The working prototype of the Loyal Wingman unveiled on...…Australian-designed AI attack drone prototype unveiled by Boeing ahead of mass productionShareAn Australian-designed military drone that uses artificial intelligence technology to target enemies has been unveiled to the public, the first military plane to be designed and built locally in more than half a century.Developed by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and US manufacturer Boeing, the Loyal Wingman drone has a range of 3,700 kilometres and is expected to eventually join manned aircraft such as Joint Strike Fighters into battle.The working prototype of the Loyal Wingman unveiled on...WW…

ShareAuthorities have begun seizing Chinese-made faulty face masks and other protective clothing that is being exported to Australia to help halt the spread of coronavirus.The ABC has learnt that in recent weeks, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have intercepted several deliveries of personal protective equipment (PPE) that have been found to be counterfeit or otherwise faulty.One law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, estimated the ABF had already seized 800,000 masks with a combined value of more than $1.2 million on the Australian market."We started...…ShareAuthorities have begun seizing Chinese-made faulty face masks and other protective clothing that is being exported to Australia to help halt the spread of coronavirus.The ABC has learnt that in recent weeks, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have intercepted several deliveries of personal protective equipment (PPE) that have been found to be counterfeit or otherwise faulty.One law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, estimated the ABF had already seized 800,000 masks with a combined value of more than $1.2 million on the Australian market."We started...WW…

Defence Department warns that 'highly active' spies pose 'extreme threat' to Australia's shipbuilding planShareForeign agents are now "highly active" in plots to steal Australian military secrets, with Defence warning the threat to the nation's multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding projects is considered "extreme".The alarming and blunt assessment is being cited as an official reason by the Department for blocking the public release of confidential briefing notes to the Morrison Government about current and future maritime projects.In response to a freedom of information (FOI) application, the...…Defence Department warns that 'highly active' spies pose 'extreme threat' to Australia's shipbuilding planShareForeign agents are now "highly active" in plots to steal Australian military secrets, with Defence warning the threat to the nation's multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding projects is considered "extreme".The alarming and blunt assessment is being cited as an official reason by the Department for blocking the public release of confidential briefing notes to the Morrison Government about current and future maritime projects.In response to a freedom of information (FOI) application, the...WW…

Print contentPrint with images and other mediaPrint text onlyPrintCancelA Chinese diplomat accused of using fake identification documents in the United States was until last year the second-most-senior figure inside China's embassy in Canberra, where he met regularly with Australian politicians.Cai Wei, the Chinese Consul-General in the city of Houston, is refusing orders by the Trump administration to close the diplomatic compound Between 2014 and 2019, the career diplomat served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese embassy in Australia, and had previously worked in other posts...…Print contentPrint with images and other mediaPrint text onlyPrintCancelA Chinese diplomat accused of using fake identification documents in the United States was until last year the second-most-senior figure inside China's embassy in Canberra, where he met regularly with Australian politicians.Cai Wei, the Chinese Consul-General in the city of Houston, is refusing orders by the Trump administration to close the diplomatic compound Between 2014 and 2019, the career diplomat served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese embassy in Australia, and had previously worked in other posts...WW…

Australia to spend $270b building larger military to prepare for 'poorer, more dangerous' world and rise of ChinaShareScott Morrison has unveiled a more aggressive defence strategy aimed at countering the rise of China, while warning that Australia faces regional challenges on a scale not seen since World War II.The strategy increases the focus on the Indo-Pacific region, with the Prime Minister warning that Australia needs to prepare for a post-COVID-19 world that is "poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly".Australia will build a larger military that is focused on its immediate...…Australia to spend $270b building larger military to prepare for 'poorer, more dangerous' world and rise of ChinaShareScott Morrison has unveiled a more aggressive defence strategy aimed at countering the rise of China, while warning that Australia faces regional challenges on a scale not seen since World War II.The strategy increases the focus on the Indo-Pacific region, with the Prime Minister warning that Australia needs to prepare for a post-COVID-19 world that is "poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly".Australia will build a larger military that is focused on its immediate...WW…

Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 01 tracked in waters near Christmas Island off Western AustraliaShareA high-tech Chinese research vessel has been detected mapping strategically important waters off the Western Australian coast where submarines are known to regularly transit.In January and February, officials closely tracked the movements of the oceanographic ship as it conducted deepwater surveys in the Indian Ocean near Christmas Island and the Australian mainland.An Australian Border Force (ABF) spokesperson told the ABC it was aware of the Chinese vessel's presence and confirmed...…Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 01 tracked in waters near Christmas Island off Western AustraliaShareA high-tech Chinese research vessel has been detected mapping strategically important waters off the Western Australian coast where submarines are known to regularly transit.In January and February, officials closely tracked the movements of the oceanographic ship as it conducted deepwater surveys in the Indian Ocean near Christmas Island and the Australian mainland.An Australian Border Force (ABF) spokesperson told the ABC it was aware of the Chinese vessel's presence and confirmed...WW…

Military reminded core business is to use 'lethal violence' to defend Australia's values and sovereigntyShareAssistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie has told military personnel their "core business" will always be the "application of lethal violence" and warned "mission clarity" is vital to their work.The blunt directive from the former Special Forces officer came as Morrison government figures also took aim at the Australian Defence Force (ADF) after scantily clad dancers helped to formally commission the Navy's newest ship, a move one senior MP dubbed a "shitshow".Mr Hastie, who was last...…Military reminded core business is to use 'lethal violence' to defend Australia's values and sovereigntyShareAssistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie has told military personnel their "core business" will always be the "application of lethal violence" and warned "mission clarity" is vital to their work.The blunt directive from the former Special Forces officer came as Morrison government figures also took aim at the Australian Defence Force (ADF) after scantily clad dancers helped to formally commission the Navy's newest ship, a move one senior MP dubbed a "shitshow".Mr Hastie, who was last...WW…

Joe Biden says it's time to 'end America's longest war', as final Afghanistan withdrawal announcedShareUS President Joe Biden says America will finally end its 20-year war in Afghanistan from May 1, with US and allied forces to completely depart no later than September 11 this year. In a White House speech on Wednesday (local time), Mr Biden said there was little justification for the US's continued military engagement in Afghanistan, adding it was time to end the "forever war" launched in 2001."I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in...…Joe Biden says it's time to 'end America's longest war', as final Afghanistan withdrawal announcedShareUS President Joe Biden says America will finally end its 20-year war in Afghanistan from May 1, with US and allied forces to completely depart no later than September 11 this year. In a White House speech on Wednesday (local time), Mr Biden said there was little justification for the US's continued military engagement in Afghanistan, adding it was time to end the "forever war" launched in 2001."I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in...WW…