11 May 2020
Weight on the scales
Middle powers might seek to balance the US and China, but inevitably their own actions change the equation.
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7 May 2020
Wuhan lab claims: Is Australia questioning China? Or the US? Both?
Leaked claims, supposed intelligence dossiers, angry outbursts. Lowy experts look to make sense of a Covid controversy. -
6 May 2020
Beyond Covid, might China overreach?
The virus has further complicated US-China ties, as both nibble away the bonds of multilateralism. -
5 May 2020
Who would Beijing prefer wins in November?
China looms over American politics, yet while bilateral ties are straining, a new president might not be welcome news. -
5 May 2020
Despite headwinds, China prepares for world’s largest carbon market
A low-carbon economy is within China’s reach: it’s up to the provinces to make it work. -
5 May 2020
The prospects for China’s post–Covid-19 economy
Big questions loom around how China can jump-start growth after the coronavirus crisis and the US trade war. -
1 May 2020
Gwadar Port: New Dubai or pie in the sky?
For all its ambition, Pakistan’s flagship BRI project has all the makings of a flop. -
1 May 2020
Unpacking China’s overseas aid program
China’s approach to aid has the potential to shake up a staid international humanitarian system. -
30 Apr 2020
The missing piece in the debate about the future regional order
While all attention has been on the US and China, countries of the region themselves might have a say. -
30 Apr 2020
Foresight and pragmatism missing in Australia’s relations with China
Beijing’s man in Canberra misjudged our tolerance for a bully. But why is Australia alone pushing for a Covid inquiry? -
28 Apr 2020
Is this the Kindleberger moment?
Covid-19 exposes a power vacuum where exceptionalism and tinfoil hat conspiracy theories go hand in hand. -
27 Apr 2020
Troubled waters: China’s sovereign ambition in the shadows of Covid-19
While the US is busy containing the coronavirus, Beijing stakes its claims in the South China Sea. -
23 Apr 2020
Statesman Turnbull steps up: Secret letters, taming Trump, due credit
Business with Donald, shared history with Xi and a Pacific ploy are revealing of the former PM’s foreign ambition. -
23 Apr 2020
Europe hasn’t fallen for China – if anything, it’s the opposite
Beijing’s charm offensive in response to coronavirus hasn’t moved the key capitals on the continent. -
21 Apr 2020
New crackdown will deepen dividing lines in Hong Kong
Both the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong democracy movement are settling in for a long and painful struggle. -
15 Apr 2020
As Africa prepares to fight Covid-19, China steps up
In a fast and very visible way, China has sought to assume a role as a global humanitarian leader – and is succeeding. -
9 Apr 2020
WHO and China: Compounding politics and policy
The World Health Organization has been heavily criticised for appeasing China instead of leading the Covid-19 fight. -
7 Apr 2020
US regional leadership: A shot across the bow
China had already been gaining in Southeast Asia before the pandemic began. Now Beijing is looking to press ahead. -
6 Apr 2020
Xi Jinping emerges stronger from Covid-19 outbreak
Far from undermining his standing, both the President and Party have consolidated an authoritarian approach to power. -
2 Apr 2020
China-US geopolitics in the age of corona
Beijing seeks to capitalise and claim global leadership in fighting the virus, while Trump shows no interest at all. -
19 Mar 2020
Are you ready for how the coronavirus is transforming the world?
China is likely to emerge from this crisis far stronger economically, and Australia must look beyond “selling stuff”. -
13 Mar 2020
The Belt and Rebranding Initiative
What’s in a name? Old ideas are new again in the name of China’s Belt and Road initiative. -
12 Mar 2020
Covid-19 in China, the US, India: Comparative crisis management 101
The corona crisis is shining an unforgiving light on how very different political systems deal with unexpected crises. -
10 Mar 2020
On the Mekong, Khon Pi rapids saved – for now
The drive to dam the river continues to outpace real understanding of the dams’ impact. -
9 Mar 2020
Who will be the 21st century’s rule maker?
Asia needs a new order for the post-American era, and it cannot be a liberal one. -
24 Feb 2020
China’s counteroffensive in the war of ideas
Mirroring its “anti-access, area denial” military strategy, China has Western discourse power in its scopes. -
21 Feb 2020
Why the COVID-19 outbreak may help China move a little further forward
The rest of the world has a chance to help China learn from its mistakes and emerge stronger from this crisis. -
20 Feb 2020
Power and legitimacy go hand in hand
Whatever America’s flaws and crimes – and there are many – it is a free and open democracy. China is not. -
19 Feb 2020
Coronavirus and the flow of information in the Chinese party-state
Local officials won’t risk the ire of Beijing, yet central authorities look to pass the buck. The more things change … -
14 Feb 2020
Domestic vulnerabilities lie behind China’s aggressive expansion
As it props up state-owned enterprises to counter slow domestic growth, China could find itself increasingly exposed. -
12 Feb 2020
In Africa, the US plays catch-up with China
The Secretary of State’s upcoming African visit reveals a US strategy fixated on hobbling Chinese momentum. -
6 Feb 2020
Chart of the week: Trust in China
Public attitudes towards China and its leadership have shifted over the years. Coronavirus could push the trend further. -
3 Feb 2020
Where Latin America can learn from Australia in dealing with China
Rising Chinese influence has put South American capitals in a bind. Australia might provide them some useful lessons. -
31 Jan 2020
Afghan transit a game changer for Gwadar port
The Chinese-run port in Pakistan, a vital part of the belt-and-road plan, may have found a path to success. -
29 Jan 2020
Coronavirus: One step forward, one step back for the global economy
Beyond the human toll, fears will stop people heading to shops, eating out, travelling, and cause other consumer costs. -
29 Jan 2020
The real US–China competition: Competing theories of influence
Both can be coercive, but the US is in danger of surrendering what is arguably the more sustainable model of influence. -
28 Jan 2020
Forging consensus in the South China Sea
By backing each other’s claims, a united Southeast Asian front would be difficult for Beijing to divide and conquer. -
28 Jan 2020
The US is elbowing Australia and allies in a race for the China market
Australia needs to be very wary of how Donald Trump’s “unbelievable deal” will play out. -
24 Jan 2020
Wuhan coronavirus: How upfront has Beijing been?
So far, to authoritarian type – placing strict controls on information in the name of maintaining stability. -
23 Jan 2020
China has Honiara onside but hasn’t yet won over Solomon Islands
Consternation about the diplomatic switch from Taiwan shows how local politics can have international ramifications. -
21 Jan 2020
Reports of China’s economic death are greatly exaggerated
No-one denies a transition from poverty to riches is littered with traps and dead ends – but nor is failure inevitable. -
20 Jan 2020
No end in sight for Germany’s troubles with Huawei
As other European capitals look for a cue, German politicians are sharply divided over the Chinese tech company. -
16 Jan 2020
Deng’s pragmatism is China’s poison pill
Having allowed the ends to justify the means, moral challenges subsume China, and Xi’s cure is orthodox communism. -
16 Jan 2020
Economic diplomacy: Two big-C issues
China and climate change are new realities both putting Australia to the test. -
16 Jan 2020
What Xi wants in Myanmar may not be what he gets
China is making huge investments in its Southeast Asian neighbour, but peace will cost more than that. -
15 Jan 2020
Another dam on the Mekong
In the face of environmental destruction and threats to livelihoods, a new dam project is being pushed through in Laos. -
15 Jan 2020
Belt and rail: New Vietnam-China train aims to put relations on track
Updating a colonial legacy railway might offer more than a smoother connection between sometimes tense neighbours. -
14 Jan 2020
Beijing’s Hong Kong appointment sends a clear message
By installing an old-school party functionary as its chief liaison, China shows where it stands on reform. -
9 Jan 2020
Can Indonesia lead? Maritime tensions with China escalate
Natuna Islands in the South China Sea has flared again, with Jakarta giving every indication it’s not for backing down. -
6 Jan 2020
Book review: Betraying Big Brother
In a #MeToo age, censorship has largely shielded China’s citizens from joining the feminist movement – but not entirely.