China
From confrontation to collaboration: Working together on critical minerals supply chains
A recent article in the Australian Financial Review on the urgent “parachuting” of Chinese technicians to a troubled lithium processing plant in Western Australia has highlighted…
Could Myanmar become Beijing’s quagmire?
China’s interests in Myanmar have long carried an inherent ambiguity. Such tension has increasingly crystallised in the aftermath of the Three Brotherhood Alliance offensive…
Can South Korea become a global pivotal state?
“South Korea should no longer be confined to the Korean Peninsula but rise to the challenge of being what I have described as a ‘global pivotal state’, one that advances freedom,…
By the numbers: China’s nuclear inventory continues to grow
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists’ 2024 Nuclear Notebook estimates that China now has about 500 nuclear warheads, and more are being produced to equip future delivery systems. Of…
China has a fifth station in Antarctica
China’s new Antarctic station, Qinling, has been greeted with alarm in several recent articles. Some concern and watchfulness is warranted, but strategic panic is not. Given the…
Open for business: North Korea welcomes back visitors
After three years of pandemic lockdowns, North Korea is reopening its doors to foreigners. The welcome mat was put out in March 2023, when the country welcomed new Chinese…
What constrains and restrains China on Taiwan?
Is a Chinese move on Taiwan the world’s next big crisis? What is the probability that the People’s Republic of China will seek to forcibly “reunify” Taiwan in the next few years?
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China’s message problem in PNG
Last month, China signed a significant deal with Papua New Guinea, a downstream processing agreement to manufacture products using locally sourced nickel and cobalt. With this…
A new China loan threatens Vanuatu’s debt outlook
Several Pacific nations have experienced a spike in public debt in recent years due to Covid-related border closures, trade disruptions, and climate-related disasters. Vanuatu,…
From “poop diggers” to allies: Chinese social media reacts to Nauru’s switch
On 15 January, when Nauru switched its diplomatic recognition to Beijing, “Nauru severs its ties with Taiwan” was the top trending topic on Weibo. For two weeks following, we…