7 h. ago Xi says Australia and China should ‘unswervingly’ work together despite global instability

Talks between leaders came after Australian camera crews were confronted by Chinese security guards and told to hand over footageFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastXi Jinping has told Anthony Albanese that geopolitical turbulence and Donald Trump’s growing trade war should not derail newfound stability between China and Australia, saying the two countries should “unswervingly” stick to cooperation.The prime minister met China’s president for the second time in Beijing on Tuesday, promising to find common ground despite differences on sensitive issues such as the ownership of the Port of Darwin and US pressure over the future of Taiwan.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Australian journalists confronted by Chinese security guards during Albanese’s Beijing trip

Guards demand camera crews from ABC, SBS, Nine, Seven and Sky News hand over footage despite having permission to filmFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSecurity guards tried to stop Australian journalists covering Anthony Albanese’s visit to China from leaving a popular Beijing tourist destination, just hours before the prime minister’s talks with Xi Jinping on Tuesday.Albanese is on a six-day visit to China and is due to meet Xi, the country’s president, and its premier, Li Qiang, in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Australian and Chinese leaders seek to boost trade despite differences on other issues

Australia and China are working to strengthen trade ties despite disagreements over security and human rights

Politics

30 h. ago Huge military exercise involving 19 countries begins as Chinese surveillance expected

The drill is expected to attract the attention of Chinese spy ships

Events

58 h. ago Australia rebuffs calls to commit to joining hypothetical US

Anthony Albanese says he doesn’t support unilateral action in Taiwan amid reports Washington seeking guarantees about how Canberra would respond in event of Indo-Pacific conflictFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will refuse any US request to join a “hypothetical” conflict with China over Taiwan and won’t make any advance commitment, the defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, has said, amid reports Washington is seeking such promises in discussions over the Aukus submarines.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, also pushed back on such a request, alluding to America’s own position of so-called “strategic ambiguity” on whether the US would militarily respond in a conflict over Taiwan. He said Australia wanted to see “peace and security” in the region.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

60 h. ago Australia won’t commit in advance to joining hypothetical US

Comments come amid reports Washington seeking guarantees about how Canberra would respond in event of Indo-Pacific conflictFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will refuse any US request to join a “hypothetical” conflict with China over Taiwan and won’t make any advance commitment, the defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, has said, amid reports Washington is seeking such promises in discussions over the Aukus submarines.Conroy called on China to be more transparent about its military buildup, but said any commitment to war would be the sole power of the Australian government of the day. It came after multiple reports this week that the Pentagon was seeking guarantees from Australia and other allies about how they would respond in the event of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Bougainville fought a war to shut down Panguna mine. Now it wants to reopen it

The reviled foreign project could be key to Bougainville’s prosperity in independence. But some say the island risks repeating the mistakes of the past‘It’s not Chinese assistance’: Australia accuses China of taking undue credit for aid projects in the PacificA dreadlocked rebel soldier kept me alive in Bougainville 28 years ago. Reuniting with him was an emotional experienceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNoah Doko rubs absent-mindedly at a scar slashed across his forearm. The former rebel fighter sits amid the crumbling remains of the former Panguna village in Bougainville, beneath the hills that were the hideout and battleground of his youth.As a teenager, he was shot by the Papua New Guinea defence force: ostensibly by his own military, by a fellow citizen. In the aftermath of the Bougainville civil war, he was elected to parliament to represent veterans. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago This new biodegradable film could save 20 per cent on energy bills

Researchers say metafilm could be an alternative to air conditioning systems

Science