Australia
Economy
From HK department store heir to outback cattleman: Inside Bruce Cheung’s US$130m wagyu gamble
When he was nearing 60, Bruce Cheung stepped away from China International Duty Free Group, the company he had co-founded and built up for more than 20 years, starting a journey of self-discovery that took him along half of Australia’s coast. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Yaning speaks to the founder of agriculture company Pardoo Wagyu.
Li Yaning
18 Jun 2026
Economy
Malaysia becomes a lynchpin in US-led effort to break China’s grip on rare earths
Within the US-led rare earth alliance, Malaysia has emerged as a crucial processing and manufacturing hub, strategically positioned to help build a supply chain outside of China. But it remains to be seen if China’s dominance in this field can be easily broken.
Caixin Global
05 Dec 2025
Economy
Simandou: The African mine that could shake Australia and reshape China’s rise
Guinea’s Simandou complex, the largest iron-ore mine in history, is now operational, set to reshape global trade and industrial supply chains. The long-delayed project could shift China-Africa economic ties, challenge Australia’s mining dominance and draw Washington’s strategic attention, observes researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
02 Dec 2025
Politics
Malabar 2025: Proof that the Quad still works when the politics doesn’t
Despite political rifts among the Quad countries, the recent annual Malabar naval exercise which went ahead means that the Quad grouping is still relevant where it counts most: enhancing joint military interoperability and preparedness on both sides of the Indo-Pacific. Manila-based analyst Don McLain Gill shares his views.
Don McLain Gill
28 Nov 2025
Politics
What the US–Australia rare earth deal means for China
Australia and the US have struck a multi-billion-dollar deal to challenge China’s dominance in rare earths. But breaking Beijing’s near-monopoly will demand more than investment — it will test the foundations of the global economic order itself, argues academic Naoise McDonagh.
Naoise McDonagh
22 Oct 2025
Politics
China’s Pacific push isn’t a clean sweep
The 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Solomon Islands highlights the region as a geopolitical battleground, with Pacific nations increasingly aligning with China amid the China-Taiwan rivalry, while traditional powers lose ground. Yet defiant holdouts like Palau resist, urging a stronger US presence. Academic Ghulam Ali analyses the situation.
Ghulam Ali
30 Sep 2025
Politics
Australia’s new China playbook: Engagement without illusion
Amid Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s efforts to reset Australia-China ties, his recent visit to China signalled a shared interest in pragmatic cooperation. With clear safeguards and steady leadership, Australia can deepen ties with China to foster growth and resilience, observes researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
30 Jul 2025
Economy
The critical minerals race: Can the Quad catch China?
The scramble for critical minerals is emerging as a defining front in the Quad’s rivalry with China — and this time, the stakes are the future of clean energy, advanced technologies and supply chain independence, says researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
24 Jul 2025
Politics
Trade, trust and tensions: Australia’s foreign policy crossroads in an election year
Faced with opportunities and challenges with its longstanding partner, the US, as well as increasing difficulties to “cooperate where we can, disagree where we must” with China, Australia needs more than ever to strengthen defence, trade and diplomatic ties across the Indo-Pacific region. Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May explains.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
30 Apr 2025
Politics
China’s live-fire drills: A show of force in the Pacific?
Australia and New Zealand’s reactions to the PLA Navy’s recent live-fire drills off the shores of their waters reflect the intensity of their concerns regarding China’s growing naval power and presence in their backyards, says academic Ghulam Ali.
Ghulam Ali
03 Mar 2025
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