As China holds extraordinary power over material essential to high-tech products, Australia is key to diversification.

Fears of arrest, or worse, have spilled over into widespread self-censorship despite a burgeoning media landscape.

Beijing is fighting many fires at once, so taking the heat out of Hong Kong will suit Xi Jinping.

Even more than the last pro-democracy demonstrations, at stake is Hong Kong’s future with common law at its heart.

Plenty of real tensions exist in Australia-China relations and media myth-making doesn’t help escape misunderstanding.

Far from surplus or scrap, the navy’s last Adelaide Class frigates are strategic assets that can still serve a mission.

Barely one in ten girls graduate high school in one of Australia’s closest neighbours, yet the barriers can be overcome.

Secret “swaps” might have led the US President to hang up on Malcolm Turnbull but the principle of the deal must stand.

A huge transformation of global energy production and consumption is underway but sorely needs international governance.

A Liberal senator’s spectacular break with party discipline shows differences on Beijing cut across partisan lines.

Systemic corruption has allowed the country’s ruling class to act above the law and women are paying the price.

Maybe it’s Trump’s personality, maybe it’s domestic politics in Seoul, or perhaps North Korea simply loves the bomb.

Personal connections matter, and Scott Morrison’s ties to the Pacific run deeper than many realise.

Links and stories from the Pacific Islands region.

The Chinese are finding they are now subject to the Spiderman rule: with great power comes great responsibility.

The Lowy Institute has a new half-hour, fornightly podcast.

There is no appeasing a playground bully so why should countries bother to negotiate with the unreliable “Tariff Man”?

Measuring Beijing’s influence shows mixed results for all the supposed diplomatic sway and billions spent on media.

With the China challenge in the Pacific, Australia and the US could work together to help Taiwan preserve regional ties.

Passage of a historic law is unlikely to bolster Tsai Ing-wen in her struggle at the ballot box.

The far-right gained out of the political cacophony of European elections, but any “exit” sentiment has evaporated.

Once a powerhouse, a trouncing at the general elections leaves India’s opposition reeling and democracy transformed.

Marise Payne’s experience in defence and security has been obvious, but what more will drive her diplomacy?

If Washington wants to liberalise China’s economy, it must also accept China’s deeper integration with global markets.