China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg'ShareChina's Foreign Ministry has escalated its attacks on Australia, accusing the Federal Government of conducting espionage in China and calling tabloid claims of Australian spying the "tip of the iceberg".On Monday, the Chinese Government-owned Global Times published a story .The nationalistic paper also posted pictures of items which it said had been seized, including cash, a compass and a map of Shanghai.Australian government officials ridiculed the claims in private, while Prime Minister Scott...…China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg'ShareChina's Foreign Ministry has escalated its attacks on Australia, accusing the Federal Government of conducting espionage in China and calling tabloid claims of Australian spying the "tip of the iceberg".On Monday, the Chinese Government-owned Global Times published a story .The nationalistic paper also posted pictures of items which it said had been seized, including cash, a compass and a map of Shanghai.Australian government officials ridiculed the claims in private, while Prime Minister Scott...WW…

China seems intent on using its economic heft to intimidate Australia — but the Government is eyeing off a new planShareWhen news started to spread that China's Government had warned students to reconsider studying in Australia, I picked up my phone and messaged a contact in the Federal Government. "This seems bad," I wrote. My phone rang back immediately."It is bad. It is very bad," said the gloomy voice on the other end."And it's only going to get worse and worse."Their pessimism is understandable. The pattern is now utterly clear and beyond dispute.The Chinese Government seems intent on...…China seems intent on using its economic heft to intimidate Australia — but the Government is eyeing off a new planShareWhen news started to spread that China's Government had warned students to reconsider studying in Australia, I picked up my phone and messaged a contact in the Federal Government. "This seems bad," I wrote. My phone rang back immediately."It is bad. It is very bad," said the gloomy voice on the other end."And it's only going to get worse and worse."Their pessimism is understandable. The pattern is now utterly clear and beyond dispute.The Chinese Government seems intent on...WW…

UNSW under fire for deleting social media posts critical of China over Hong KongShareFederal Education Minister Dan Tehan has urged the University of New South Wales to protect freedom of speech after its media team deleted posts which drew an online backlash from Chinese students.The controversy also sparked a flurry of criticism from several federal MPs and senators, who accused UNSW of compromising academic freedom.The official UNSW account on Friday tweeted an article that quoted Human Rights Watch's Australia director and adjunct law lecturer Elaine Pearson as saying: "Now is a pivotal...…UNSW under fire for deleting social media posts critical of China over Hong KongShareFederal Education Minister Dan Tehan has urged the University of New South Wales to protect freedom of speech after its media team deleted posts which drew an online backlash from Chinese students.The controversy also sparked a flurry of criticism from several federal MPs and senators, who accused UNSW of compromising academic freedom.The official UNSW account on Friday tweeted an article that quoted Human Rights Watch's Australia director and adjunct law lecturer Elaine Pearson as saying: "Now is a pivotal...WW…

UNSW under fire for deleting social media posts critical of China over Hong KongShareFederal Education Minister Dan Tehan has urged the University of New South Wales to protect freedom of speech after its media team deleted posts which drew an online backlash from Chinese students.The controversy also sparked a flurry of criticism from several federal MPs and senators, who accused UNSW of compromising academic freedom.The official UNSW account on Friday tweeted an article that quoted Human Rights Watch's Australia director and adjunct law lecturer Elaine Pearson as saying: "Now is a pivotal...…UNSW under fire for deleting social media posts critical of China over Hong KongShareFederal Education Minister Dan Tehan has urged the University of New South Wales to protect freedom of speech after its media team deleted posts which drew an online backlash from Chinese students.The controversy also sparked a flurry of criticism from several federal MPs and senators, who accused UNSW of compromising academic freedom.The official UNSW account on Friday tweeted an article that quoted Human Rights Watch's Australia director and adjunct law lecturer Elaine Pearson as saying: "Now is a pivotal...WW…

ShareAustralia has resisted the United States' push for more assertive freedom of navigation exercises in the disputed waters in the South China Sea at high-level talks in Washington. Australia's Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds with their American counterparts.The talks focused heavily on China, with both countries condemning Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong and vowing to work together to counter state-sponsored disinformation campaigns. The two countries have signed a new "statement of principles" to further expand defence ties and have also agreed to...…ShareAustralia has resisted the United States' push for more assertive freedom of navigation exercises in the disputed waters in the South China Sea at high-level talks in Washington. Australia's Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds with their American counterparts.The talks focused heavily on China, with both countries condemning Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong and vowing to work together to counter state-sponsored disinformation campaigns. The two countries have signed a new "statement of principles" to further expand defence ties and have also agreed to...WW…

Chinese embassy accuses Australia of violating international law after Hong Kong visa extensions announcedShareThe Chinese embassy has condemned Australia's decision to extend the visas of some Hong Kongers in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms, saying it is a "gross interference" in the country's internal affairs.Australia will offer a path to permanent residency for thousands of Hong Kong citizens, while suspending its extradition agreement with the city in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms and dissent.In a statement, China's embassy in Canberra said it...…Chinese embassy accuses Australia of violating international law after Hong Kong visa extensions announcedShareThe Chinese embassy has condemned Australia's decision to extend the visas of some Hong Kongers in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms, saying it is a "gross interference" in the country's internal affairs.Australia will offer a path to permanent residency for thousands of Hong Kong citizens, while suspending its extradition agreement with the city in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms and dissent.In a statement, China's embassy in Canberra said it...WW…

Chinese embassy accuses Australia of violating international law after Hong Kong visa extensions announcedShareThe Chinese embassy has condemned Australia's decision to extend the visas of some Hong Kongers in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms, saying it is a "gross interference" in the country's internal affairs.Australia will offer a path to permanent residency for thousands of Hong Kong citizens, while suspending its extradition agreement with the city in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms and dissent.In a statement, China's embassy in Canberra said it...…Chinese embassy accuses Australia of violating international law after Hong Kong visa extensions announcedShareThe Chinese embassy has condemned Australia's decision to extend the visas of some Hong Kongers in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms, saying it is a "gross interference" in the country's internal affairs.Australia will offer a path to permanent residency for thousands of Hong Kong citizens, while suspending its extradition agreement with the city in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms and dissent.In a statement, China's embassy in Canberra said it...WW…

ShareA coalition of 62 countries has backed a joint Australian and European Union push for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak ahead of a crucial World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting on Monday in Geneva. into how the coronavirus started.That , which . But international support for the idea has been steadily growing.The Morrison Government has now swung its diplomatic firepower behind the European Union, which has also been pressing for an investigation while taking a more conciliatory line with Beijing.European nations and Australia have been rallying support for a draft EU...…ShareA coalition of 62 countries has backed a joint Australian and European Union push for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak ahead of a crucial World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting on Monday in Geneva. into how the coronavirus started.That , which . But international support for the idea has been steadily growing.The Morrison Government has now swung its diplomatic firepower behind the European Union, which has also been pressing for an investigation while taking a more conciliatory line with Beijing.European nations and Australia have been rallying support for a draft EU...WW…

Australians at risk of arbitrary arrest in China, DFAT travel advice warnsShareThe Federal Government has issued new travel advice warning Australians they may face "arbitrary detention" if they go to mainland China.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also said Chinese Government authorities have detained foreigners because they were allegedly "endangering national security".The department was already advising travellers not to travel to China — or anywhere overseas — because of the coronavirus pandemic.That level of advice has not changed.Australians are banned from leaving the...…Australians at risk of arbitrary arrest in China, DFAT travel advice warnsShareThe Federal Government has issued new travel advice warning Australians they may face "arbitrary detention" if they go to mainland China.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also said Chinese Government authorities have detained foreigners because they were allegedly "endangering national security".The department was already advising travellers not to travel to China — or anywhere overseas — because of the coronavirus pandemic.That level of advice has not changed.Australians are banned from leaving the...WW…

Hong Kong residents could be offered safe haven in Australia amid security law crackdown, PM Scott Morrison saysShareAustralia is "actively considering" offering safe haven to Hong Kong residents to come to the country after controversial national security laws imposed by China came into effect, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.On Wednesday, hundreds of people were arrested after demonstrators took to the streets to protest the new laws, which were introduced by China to suppress dissenters.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would offer eligible people in Hong Kong a path to...…Hong Kong residents could be offered safe haven in Australia amid security law crackdown, PM Scott Morrison saysShareAustralia is "actively considering" offering safe haven to Hong Kong residents to come to the country after controversial national security laws imposed by China came into effect, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.On Wednesday, hundreds of people were arrested after demonstrators took to the streets to protest the new laws, which were introduced by China to suppress dissenters.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would offer eligible people in Hong Kong a path to...WW…