Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping tells Australian Governor-General David Hurley ties between two countries moving in ‘right direction’

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that relations with Australia were moving in the right direction in the latest sign of an improvement in ties between the major trading partners. Key points: Chinese President Xi Jinping says both countries are “making active efforts towards the right direction of improving and growing China-Australia ties” China expert David Goodman says “we … Read more

Watch: Chinese protester made video warning she could vanish. Then, she disappeared

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Chinese protester made video warning she could vanish. Then, she disappeared In the weeks following anti-zero Covid protests in Beijing, a protester made a video warning she could vanish. Soon after filming the video, she was arrested. CNN’s Selina Wang reports.

Anthony Albanese joins lunar new year festivities in Sydney

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined thousands of revellers across the country ushering in the Lunar New Year. The Prime Minister joined colleagues Andrew Giles and Sally Sitou on Sunday at Emerald Square in Burwood as festivities kicked off across Sydney. He watched a traditional lion dance, handed out red pockets, and met with local … Read more

China says Covid outbreak has infected 80% of population

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Pedestrians in Pudong’s Lujiazui Financial District in Shanghai, China, on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The possibility of a big Covid-19 rebound in China over the next two or three months is remote as 80% of people have been infected, a prominent government scientist said on Saturday. The mass movement … Read more

Australian government ‘deeply troubled’ by delays to writer Yang Hengjun’s espionage trial verdict in China

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Australian government is “deeply troubled” after Chinese authorities delayed a verdict in the espionage trial of Australian writer Yang Hengjun until April — the seventh such delay. Key points: A Beijing court heard Dr Yang’s trial in secret in May 2021 but the case against him has never been … Read more

China reports 60,000 COVID-related deaths, says peak passed

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BEIJING (AP) — China on Saturday reported nearly 60,000 deaths in people who had COVID-19 since early December, offering hard numbers for an unprecedented surge that was apparent in overcrowded hospitals and packed crematoriums, even as the government released little data about the status of the pandemic for weeks. Those numbers may still underestimate the … Read more

PNG security deal: Anthony Albanese makes dig at China in parliament address

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Anthony Albanese is poised to ink a new security deal with his counterpart in Papua New Guinea as Australia looks to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. The Australian Prime Minister will emphasise the need for a “family first” approach to regional security when he foreshadows the signing of the new bilateral treaty in a … Read more

Chinese ambassador invokes WWII in quarrel with Japanese counterpart, suggests trade bans may lift

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China’s ambassador has criticised his Japanese counterpart in Canberra, accusing him of not doing his job properly and suggesting Tokyo may once again launch a military attack on Australia in the future. Key points: The ambassador said relations between China and Australia had reached a period of “stability” He suggested the improving relationship might give Chinese companies … Read more

Taiwan: War game simulation suggests Chinese invasion of Taiwan would fail at a huge cost to US, Chinese and Taiwanese militaries

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CNN  —  A Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2026 would result in thousands of casualties among Chinese, United States, Taiwanese and Japanese forces, and it would be unlikely to result in a victory for Beijing, according to a prominent independent Washington think tank, which conducted war game simulations of a possible conflict that is preoccupying … Read more

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening

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BEIJING (AP) — After two years of separation from his wife in mainland China, Hong Kong resident Cheung Seng-bun made sure to be among the first in line following the reopening of border crossing points Sunday. The ability of residents of the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city to cross over is one of the most visible … Read more