China
Fluffy rodents ‘started Black Death and killed off half of Europe’
Harmless-looking marmots may have harboured the Black Death in Kyrgyzstan before it spread via the Silk Road.
- by Sarah Knapton
Latest
Xi tells Putin his Ukraine invasion is ‘legitimate’
While Germany’s Scholz and France’s Macron ready to visit Ukraine today, the Chinese leader has doubled down on his support for Russia, according to Moscow.
Cheng Lei’s partner says Australia must put her at the centre of negotiations with China
Nick Coyle says he wants to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to ensure the Australian journalist’s case receives “urgency in bilateral discussions”.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Councillors accepted bags of cash from property developer, ICAC told
A former Hurstville councillor has given evidence he accepted bags filled with $170,000 from a developer linked to apartment blocks in Sydney’s south.
- by Megan Gorrey
Xi expands China’s military powers to defend interests abroad
The Chinese President has signed off on a six-chapter order that will frame his defence forces’ activities in the region.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Opinion
China relations
Fifty years on, Australia and China can renew their diplomatic vows
The first bilateral ministerial meeting in two years offers signs of a thaw in Sino-Australian relations just as a significant diplomatic anniversary looms.
- by Peter Hartcher
Exclusive
China relations
Marles vows to continue flying over Paracels, increase military exercises with Japan
Declaring Australia would not be deterred by China’s threats, the deputy prime minister headed to Tokyo pledging to conduct more operations with Japan.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Katina Curtis
Defence ministers’ meeting a first step in China-Australia rapprochement but should not be overstated
Foreign affairs experts say the meeting between Defence Minister Richard Marles and his Chinese counterpart was important but only a first step in restoring relations.
- by Katina Curtis
Analysis
China relations
The Shangri La dinner that got Australia and China talking again
Zoom diplomacy is no replacement for the real thing.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Australian deputy PM meets with China defence chief in diplomatic breakthrough
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has held talks with China’s defence chief at a defence summit, the first face-to-face meeting between ministers from the countries in two years.
- by Chris Barrett
Video of men attacking women at restaurant sparks outrage in China
Surveillance footage of men assaulting women at a restaurant in China has unleashed a flood of outrage, renewing a debate over the country’s treatment of women.
- by Andrew Galbraith