AUKUS
Technology
Undersea cables: The new US-China frontline
From trade wars to the seabed, Washington and Beijing are locked in a high-stakes struggle for control over global undersea cables and leadership of the future digital order. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei looks into the matter.
Sim Tze Wei
24 Jun 2026
Politics
Navigating Trump: Australia’s path to a more confident foreign policy
While Australians generally view their alliance with the US positively, Trump himself is deeply unpopular in Australia, and he is not trusted to act in ways that are supportive of Australia’s national interest. How is Australia readying itself for Trump 2.0? Australian academic David M. Andrews analyses the situation.
David M. Andrews
12 Dec 2024
Politics
US ally management is stronger than ever amid global turmoil
Commentator Guo Bingyun notes that the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict have strengthened rather than diminished the US’s relations with its allies, both in Asia and the West. This has made it easier for the US to navigate among countries such as the Philippines and its partners in groups such as the Quad.
Guo Bingyun
07 Oct 2024
Politics
Why AUKUS’s expansion is inevitable
Chinese military affairs commentator Song Zhongping thinks that AUKUS is turning into a new military organisation that promotes the exchange of advanced new military technologies and technological expansion. He explains why China is highly concerned about countries in the region and even NATO looking to be involved with AUKUS.
Song Zhongping
30 May 2024
Politics
China-Australia relations warm up again, but will it last?
The recent release of Chinese Australian news anchor Cheng Lei and the lifting of tariffs on key Australian exports into China are signalling a detente in China-Australia relations. But given the impact of external geopolitical issues and China-US relations on China-Australia bilateral relations, will the warming relations and resumption of exchanges and trade stay the course? Lianhe Zaobao's China Desk looks into the issue.
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
24 Oct 2023
Politics
Chan Heng Chee: Small state in a turbulent world
Chan Heng Chee, ambassador-at-large and professor at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design, delivered a speech at the Reinventing Destiny conference on 14 August, held in commemoration of the 100th birth year anniversary of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding prime minister. She spoke about how strengthening Singapore as a nation and being part of an inclusive regional grouping like ASEAN could help the city state better survive these divisive and conflictual times. Here is the edited transcript of her speech.
Chan Heng Chee
17 Aug 2023
Economy
China's application to join CPTPP comes to the fore, after the UK's entry
With the UK's addition to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the question of the next applicant, China, joining comes front and centre. Other applicants like Taiwan, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Uruguay are also keen to be part of a grouping that could become the largest free trade area in the world. Academic Min-Hua Chiang outlines the stakes involved.
Min-Hua Chiang
20 Jul 2023
Politics
Arms dealers cannot be peacemakers: Europe is a lesson for Asia
Even as Asia-Pacific countries want to focus on trade and economic cooperation, geopolitical tussling - especially between the US and China - has got in the way of such efforts. Former journalist and MP Goh Choon Kang says that at a time when arms dealers have apparently become peacemakers, countries of this region must stay focused and not be sidetracked and dictated by the powers.
Goh Choon Kang
18 Apr 2023
Politics
If at first you don't succeed: Australia woos the Indo-Pacific on AUKUS
Australia made extensive diplomatic overtures to Asia prior to its March update about the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine arrangement with the UK and the US, note researchers Blake Herzinger and Alice Nason. Canberra appears to have gained some traction in the region, but it should not rest on its laurels.
Blake Herzinger, Alice Nason
14 Apr 2023