Sterling, yen dragged by fiscal and political worries
The pound and the yen came under strain on Wednesday, weighed down by renewed investor concerns over global fiscal health and political uncertainty in...
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in Shanghai, beginning a six-day tour across three Chinese cities, with discussions expected to focus on regional security concerns and strengthening economic relations.
This marks Albanese’s second visit to China, where he is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping. The trip comes as Australia tightens scrutiny of Chinese investments in critical minerals and amid growing global economic uncertainty due to sweeping tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Here is a summary of key developments in Australia-China relations in recent years:
Nov 2014: Australia finalises a landmark free trade agreement with China after a decade of talks, which takes effect in 2015.
Dec 2017: In response to concerns over foreign influence, Australia bans political donations from abroad.
Aug 2018: Huawei is barred from providing equipment for Australia’s 5G network due to security concerns.
Apr 2020: Australia calls for an independent probe into COVID-19’s origins. China’s ambassador warns of boycotts targeting Australian wine, beef, and tourism.
Jun 2020: China cautions students about studying in Australia, citing racism, threatening a major education export market.
Aug 2020: Australian journalist Cheng Lei is detained in China.
Nov 2020: China imposes anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine and restricts imports of lobster, timber, and barley. Its embassy issues a list of 14 grievances, including blocked Chinese investments.
May 2022: Albanese’s Labor Party wins the federal election, ending nearly ten years of conservative governance.
Nov 2022: Albanese meets Xi on the sidelines of the G20, their first leaders’ meeting since 2016.
Jan 2023: China allows select companies to resume coal imports from Australia.
Aug 2023: Tariffs on Australian barley are removed.
Oct 2023: Cheng Lei is released from prison after three years in detention.
Oct 2023: China agrees to review its 218% tariffs on Australian wine, prompting Australia to pause a WTO case.
Nov 2023: During his Beijing visit, Albanese tells Xi and Premier Li that strong bilateral ties are vital for the future. Xi echoes the sentiment, calling for deeper cooperation.
Jan 2024: Australia pushes back against China’s attempts to shift blame over a naval incident that injured Australian divers near Japan.
Feb 2024: Australian writer Yang Hengjun is given a suspended death sentence after five years in detention.
Mar 2024: China lifts wine tariffs, spurring renewed imports.
Dec 2024: Final restrictions on Australian beef are removed; China resumes lobster imports.
Dec 2024: Australia funds rugby league in Papua New Guinea in exchange for the island nation avoiding security ties with China.
Feb 2025: Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticises China for giving insufficient notice about a live-fire naval drill that disrupted civilian air traffic near Australia and New Zealand.
May 2025: Albanese secures a second term as prime minister following national elections.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Ukraine’s air defence systems were activated in Kyiv on Wednesday as the capital came under a new Russian air attack. Authorities urged residents to remain in shelters during the strikes.
China launched its largest military parade on Wednesday, showcasing growing firepower as President Xi Jinping sought to project Beijing’s role on the global stage. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were among the leaders attending at Tiananmen Square.
China held its largest-ever military parade on Wednesday, showcasing its growing military power and geopolitical influence as President Xi Jinping positions Beijing as a custodian of the post-U.S. international order.
U.S. forces carried out a precision strike on a suspected transnational drug vessel in the southern Caribbean, killing all 11 people aboard, President Donald Trump and the Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday.
Moscow maintains that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should continue, but stresses that progress is only possible if what it calls the “new territorial realities” are acknowledged.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment