Working at Facebook would be fun, no? Ex-staffer gives it the thumbs down
New-release books include an erotic romance by Blanche D'Alpuget and an insider account of Facebook's inner workings.
Sarah Wynn-Williams. Macmillan. $36.99.
Anyone with even the slightest question about Facebook and its place in the world should read this book. Diplomat and New Zealander Sarah Wynn-Williams thought the social network could change the world in a positive way so she pitched hard for a job and ultimately became director of global policy. Things didn't end well. The book is, of course, only her side of the story, but it makes some startling claims about what goes on behind the like button. Facebook got a gag order, but this backfired when Wynn-Williams was asked to testify before the US Congress. A compelling read.
Bob Crawshaw. Australian Scholarly Publishing. $49.95.
On a cold, wet Canberra Saturday in August 1947, Australian prime minister Ben Chifley sent out a 42-word press statement, casually mentioning to newspaper reporters including the legendary Alan "Red Fox" Reid that he had "one or two things of interest for you today". The statement announced the Labor Government's intention to nationalise the billion-pound banking industry. The banks fought back with a monumental advertising and public relations campaign, with opposition leader Robert Menzies and his fledgling Liberal Party pouring fuel on the fire. The ALP lost the 1949 election and the playbook for industry attacks on governments was set.
Daniel Reynaud. Signs Publishing. $29.95.
Salvation Army brigadier William "Fighting Mac" McKenzie was a wowser. As a Salvo, it was in his job description. But despite his fervent opposition to grog, brothels, betting and bad language, McKenzie was the Army chaplain best-loved by the Anzacs, serving alongside them in Egypt, at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. McKenzie became a wartime celebrity for his efforts in supporting the troops, helping to lift their morale and campaigning for those at home to write to lonely soldiers. As Reynaud says: "If the original Anzacs revered him, then we who revere them should pay attention to his story."
A.C. Grayling. Oneworld Publications. $32.99.
What has happened to the quality of public debate around the world? A.C. Grayling turns his philosopher's eye to the politics of the culture wars and how debates about societal issues big and small can quickly deteriorate into incendiary and bitter exchanges. The combatants, Grayling writes, deploy new weapons: "cancelling' and "no-platforming" on one side and accusations of censorship and denial of free speech on the other. As a result, he says, the task of ending discrimination and promoting social justice is undermined by excesses on all sides. Grayling argues that there are better ways to resolve our differences.
Jane Caro. Allen & Unwin. $34.99.
Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics, so if they make the blood-curdling sound of a woman screaming in terror and begging for her life, what horrific crime has happened in this dense bushland in the Barrington Tops National Park? Researching for her PhD in ornithology at Newcastle University, Jessica Weston is horrified by the male lyrebird's mating song but police, despite the enthusiasm of newly appointed detective Megan Blaxland, aren't interested. Two decades later, when a woman's body is found near where Jessica heard the lyrebird, she joins Megan to unearth her identity. This thriller is commentator Jane Caro's second novel for adults after The Mother.
Chris Flynn. Hachette. $32.99.
This book's opening scene came to author Chris Flynn in a dream. He imagined families watching a junior footy game when the kids all freeze and begin singing. For his fourth novel, a supernatural horror, he turns that vision into a nightmare as children playing in a Saturday morning under-10s soccer match in the small Australian town of Gattan suddenly stop moving, sing a verse of Latin and then die. And the same thing happens to every nine-year-old on the planet at the exact same time. As grief and fear ricochet around the globe, Gattan families reckon with the fallout of this apocalyptic phenomenon.
Blanche D'Alpuget. Popcorn Press. $29.99.
At 81, Blanche D'Alpuget, the author of 15 books, including Robert J Hawke: A Biography and historical fiction like Turtle Beach and Winter in Jerusalem, takes a daring dive into the genre of erotic romance and mystery with this racy detective novel set in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs and the posh manor houses of the NSW Southern Highlands, where long-time morning television host Evelyn Sinclair is found dead in a shocking bondage scene. Who was her mystery lover? Why were long-stemmed yellow roses delivered to her by someone dressed in PPE? And what's with the group with plush pink bunnies attached to their backpacks?
Emily Henry. Viking. $34.99.
Everyone has a story to tell, but when the story is coming from a famously reclusive heiress, you know it's going to be a page turner. With a rockstar husband and a media magnate family that has attracted almost as many headlines as their publications produced, the life story of Margaret Ives is one any writer would love to tell - especially Alice Scott, an up-and-coming journalist who is striving for her big break. There is just one problem: Pulitzer-winning Hayden Anderson is also vying for the memoir of the century. As both writers try to untangle the tantalising history of Ives, they begin to realise that their own story could be a mystery, tragedy or romance.
Love books? Us too! Looking for more reads and recommendations? Browse our books page. Bookmark the page so you can find our latest books content with ease.
New-release books include an erotic romance by Blanche D'Alpuget and an insider account of Facebook's inner workings.
Sarah Wynn-Williams. Macmillan. $36.99.
Anyone with even the slightest question about Facebook and its place in the world should read this book. Diplomat and New Zealander Sarah Wynn-Williams thought the social network could change the world in a positive way so she pitched hard for a job and ultimately became director of global policy. Things didn't end well. The book is, of course, only her side of the story, but it makes some startling claims about what goes on behind the like button. Facebook got a gag order, but this backfired when Wynn-Williams was asked to testify before the US Congress. A compelling read.
Bob Crawshaw. Australian Scholarly Publishing. $49.95.
On a cold, wet Canberra Saturday in August 1947, Australian prime minister Ben Chifley sent out a 42-word press statement, casually mentioning to newspaper reporters including the legendary Alan "Red Fox" Reid that he had "one or two things of interest for you today". The statement announced the Labor Government's intention to nationalise the billion-pound banking industry. The banks fought back with a monumental advertising and public relations campaign, with opposition leader Robert Menzies and his fledgling Liberal Party pouring fuel on the fire. The ALP lost the 1949 election and the playbook for industry attacks on governments was set.
Daniel Reynaud. Signs Publishing. $29.95.
Salvation Army brigadier William "Fighting Mac" McKenzie was a wowser. As a Salvo, it was in his job description. But despite his fervent opposition to grog, brothels, betting and bad language, McKenzie was the Army chaplain best-loved by the Anzacs, serving alongside them in Egypt, at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. McKenzie became a wartime celebrity for his efforts in supporting the troops, helping to lift their morale and campaigning for those at home to write to lonely soldiers. As Reynaud says: "If the original Anzacs revered him, then we who revere them should pay attention to his story."
A.C. Grayling. Oneworld Publications. $32.99.
What has happened to the quality of public debate around the world? A.C. Grayling turns his philosopher's eye to the politics of the culture wars and how debates about societal issues big and small can quickly deteriorate into incendiary and bitter exchanges. The combatants, Grayling writes, deploy new weapons: "cancelling' and "no-platforming" on one side and accusations of censorship and denial of free speech on the other. As a result, he says, the task of ending discrimination and promoting social justice is undermined by excesses on all sides. Grayling argues that there are better ways to resolve our differences.
Jane Caro. Allen & Unwin. $34.99.
Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics, so if they make the blood-curdling sound of a woman screaming in terror and begging for her life, what horrific crime has happened in this dense bushland in the Barrington Tops National Park? Researching for her PhD in ornithology at Newcastle University, Jessica Weston is horrified by the male lyrebird's mating song but police, despite the enthusiasm of newly appointed detective Megan Blaxland, aren't interested. Two decades later, when a woman's body is found near where Jessica heard the lyrebird, she joins Megan to unearth her identity. This thriller is commentator Jane Caro's second novel for adults after The Mother.
Chris Flynn. Hachette. $32.99.
This book's opening scene came to author Chris Flynn in a dream. He imagined families watching a junior footy game when the kids all freeze and begin singing. For his fourth novel, a supernatural horror, he turns that vision into a nightmare as children playing in a Saturday morning under-10s soccer match in the small Australian town of Gattan suddenly stop moving, sing a verse of Latin and then die. And the same thing happens to every nine-year-old on the planet at the exact same time. As grief and fear ricochet around the globe, Gattan families reckon with the fallout of this apocalyptic phenomenon.
Blanche D'Alpuget. Popcorn Press. $29.99.
At 81, Blanche D'Alpuget, the author of 15 books, including Robert J Hawke: A Biography and historical fiction like Turtle Beach and Winter in Jerusalem, takes a daring dive into the genre of erotic romance and mystery with this racy detective novel set in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs and the posh manor houses of the NSW Southern Highlands, where long-time morning television host Evelyn Sinclair is found dead in a shocking bondage scene. Who was her mystery lover? Why were long-stemmed yellow roses delivered to her by someone dressed in PPE? And what's with the group with plush pink bunnies attached to their backpacks?
Emily Henry. Viking. $34.99.
Everyone has a story to tell, but when the story is coming from a famously reclusive heiress, you know it's going to be a page turner. With a rockstar husband and a media magnate family that has attracted almost as many headlines as their publications produced, the life story of Margaret Ives is one any writer would love to tell - especially Alice Scott, an up-and-coming journalist who is striving for her big break. There is just one problem: Pulitzer-winning Hayden Anderson is also vying for the memoir of the century. As both writers try to untangle the tantalising history of Ives, they begin to realise that their own story could be a mystery, tragedy or romance.
Love books? Us too! Looking for more reads and recommendations? Browse our books page. Bookmark the page so you can find our latest books content with ease.
New-release books include an erotic romance by Blanche D'Alpuget and an insider account of Facebook's inner workings.
Sarah Wynn-Williams. Macmillan. $36.99.
Anyone with even the slightest question about Facebook and its place in the world should read this book. Diplomat and New Zealander Sarah Wynn-Williams thought the social network could change the world in a positive way so she pitched hard for a job and ultimately became director of global policy. Things didn't end well. The book is, of course, only her side of the story, but it makes some startling claims about what goes on behind the like button. Facebook got a gag order, but this backfired when Wynn-Williams was asked to testify before the US Congress. A compelling read.
Bob Crawshaw. Australian Scholarly Publishing. $49.95.
On a cold, wet Canberra Saturday in August 1947, Australian prime minister Ben Chifley sent out a 42-word press statement, casually mentioning to newspaper reporters including the legendary Alan "Red Fox" Reid that he had "one or two things of interest for you today". The statement announced the Labor Government's intention to nationalise the billion-pound banking industry. The banks fought back with a monumental advertising and public relations campaign, with opposition leader Robert Menzies and his fledgling Liberal Party pouring fuel on the fire. The ALP lost the 1949 election and the playbook for industry attacks on governments was set.
Daniel Reynaud. Signs Publishing. $29.95.
Salvation Army brigadier William "Fighting Mac" McKenzie was a wowser. As a Salvo, it was in his job description. But despite his fervent opposition to grog, brothels, betting and bad language, McKenzie was the Army chaplain best-loved by the Anzacs, serving alongside them in Egypt, at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. McKenzie became a wartime celebrity for his efforts in supporting the troops, helping to lift their morale and campaigning for those at home to write to lonely soldiers. As Reynaud says: "If the original Anzacs revered him, then we who revere them should pay attention to his story."
A.C. Grayling. Oneworld Publications. $32.99.
What has happened to the quality of public debate around the world? A.C. Grayling turns his philosopher's eye to the politics of the culture wars and how debates about societal issues big and small can quickly deteriorate into incendiary and bitter exchanges. The combatants, Grayling writes, deploy new weapons: "cancelling' and "no-platforming" on one side and accusations of censorship and denial of free speech on the other. As a result, he says, the task of ending discrimination and promoting social justice is undermined by excesses on all sides. Grayling argues that there are better ways to resolve our differences.
Jane Caro. Allen & Unwin. $34.99.
Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics, so if they make the blood-curdling sound of a woman screaming in terror and begging for her life, what horrific crime has happened in this dense bushland in the Barrington Tops National Park? Researching for her PhD in ornithology at Newcastle University, Jessica Weston is horrified by the male lyrebird's mating song but police, despite the enthusiasm of newly appointed detective Megan Blaxland, aren't interested. Two decades later, when a woman's body is found near where Jessica heard the lyrebird, she joins Megan to unearth her identity. This thriller is commentator Jane Caro's second novel for adults after The Mother.
Chris Flynn. Hachette. $32.99.
This book's opening scene came to author Chris Flynn in a dream. He imagined families watching a junior footy game when the kids all freeze and begin singing. For his fourth novel, a supernatural horror, he turns that vision into a nightmare as children playing in a Saturday morning under-10s soccer match in the small Australian town of Gattan suddenly stop moving, sing a verse of Latin and then die. And the same thing happens to every nine-year-old on the planet at the exact same time. As grief and fear ricochet around the globe, Gattan families reckon with the fallout of this apocalyptic phenomenon.
Blanche D'Alpuget. Popcorn Press. $29.99.
At 81, Blanche D'Alpuget, the author of 15 books, including Robert J Hawke: A Biography and historical fiction like Turtle Beach and Winter in Jerusalem, takes a daring dive into the genre of erotic romance and mystery with this racy detective novel set in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs and the posh manor houses of the NSW Southern Highlands, where long-time morning television host Evelyn Sinclair is found dead in a shocking bondage scene. Who was her mystery lover? Why were long-stemmed yellow roses delivered to her by someone dressed in PPE? And what's with the group with plush pink bunnies attached to their backpacks?
Emily Henry. Viking. $34.99.
Everyone has a story to tell, but when the story is coming from a famously reclusive heiress, you know it's going to be a page turner. With a rockstar husband and a media magnate family that has attracted almost as many headlines as their publications produced, the life story of Margaret Ives is one any writer would love to tell - especially Alice Scott, an up-and-coming journalist who is striving for her big break. There is just one problem: Pulitzer-winning Hayden Anderson is also vying for the memoir of the century. As both writers try to untangle the tantalising history of Ives, they begin to realise that their own story could be a mystery, tragedy or romance.
Love books? Us too! Looking for more reads and recommendations? Browse our books page. Bookmark the page so you can find our latest books content with ease.
New-release books include an erotic romance by Blanche D'Alpuget and an insider account of Facebook's inner workings.
Sarah Wynn-Williams. Macmillan. $36.99.
Anyone with even the slightest question about Facebook and its place in the world should read this book. Diplomat and New Zealander Sarah Wynn-Williams thought the social network could change the world in a positive way so she pitched hard for a job and ultimately became director of global policy. Things didn't end well. The book is, of course, only her side of the story, but it makes some startling claims about what goes on behind the like button. Facebook got a gag order, but this backfired when Wynn-Williams was asked to testify before the US Congress. A compelling read.
Bob Crawshaw. Australian Scholarly Publishing. $49.95.
On a cold, wet Canberra Saturday in August 1947, Australian prime minister Ben Chifley sent out a 42-word press statement, casually mentioning to newspaper reporters including the legendary Alan "Red Fox" Reid that he had "one or two things of interest for you today". The statement announced the Labor Government's intention to nationalise the billion-pound banking industry. The banks fought back with a monumental advertising and public relations campaign, with opposition leader Robert Menzies and his fledgling Liberal Party pouring fuel on the fire. The ALP lost the 1949 election and the playbook for industry attacks on governments was set.
Daniel Reynaud. Signs Publishing. $29.95.
Salvation Army brigadier William "Fighting Mac" McKenzie was a wowser. As a Salvo, it was in his job description. But despite his fervent opposition to grog, brothels, betting and bad language, McKenzie was the Army chaplain best-loved by the Anzacs, serving alongside them in Egypt, at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. McKenzie became a wartime celebrity for his efforts in supporting the troops, helping to lift their morale and campaigning for those at home to write to lonely soldiers. As Reynaud says: "If the original Anzacs revered him, then we who revere them should pay attention to his story."
A.C. Grayling. Oneworld Publications. $32.99.
What has happened to the quality of public debate around the world? A.C. Grayling turns his philosopher's eye to the politics of the culture wars and how debates about societal issues big and small can quickly deteriorate into incendiary and bitter exchanges. The combatants, Grayling writes, deploy new weapons: "cancelling' and "no-platforming" on one side and accusations of censorship and denial of free speech on the other. As a result, he says, the task of ending discrimination and promoting social justice is undermined by excesses on all sides. Grayling argues that there are better ways to resolve our differences.
Jane Caro. Allen & Unwin. $34.99.
Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics, so if they make the blood-curdling sound of a woman screaming in terror and begging for her life, what horrific crime has happened in this dense bushland in the Barrington Tops National Park? Researching for her PhD in ornithology at Newcastle University, Jessica Weston is horrified by the male lyrebird's mating song but police, despite the enthusiasm of newly appointed detective Megan Blaxland, aren't interested. Two decades later, when a woman's body is found near where Jessica heard the lyrebird, she joins Megan to unearth her identity. This thriller is commentator Jane Caro's second novel for adults after The Mother.
Chris Flynn. Hachette. $32.99.
This book's opening scene came to author Chris Flynn in a dream. He imagined families watching a junior footy game when the kids all freeze and begin singing. For his fourth novel, a supernatural horror, he turns that vision into a nightmare as children playing in a Saturday morning under-10s soccer match in the small Australian town of Gattan suddenly stop moving, sing a verse of Latin and then die. And the same thing happens to every nine-year-old on the planet at the exact same time. As grief and fear ricochet around the globe, Gattan families reckon with the fallout of this apocalyptic phenomenon.
Blanche D'Alpuget. Popcorn Press. $29.99.
At 81, Blanche D'Alpuget, the author of 15 books, including Robert J Hawke: A Biography and historical fiction like Turtle Beach and Winter in Jerusalem, takes a daring dive into the genre of erotic romance and mystery with this racy detective novel set in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs and the posh manor houses of the NSW Southern Highlands, where long-time morning television host Evelyn Sinclair is found dead in a shocking bondage scene. Who was her mystery lover? Why were long-stemmed yellow roses delivered to her by someone dressed in PPE? And what's with the group with plush pink bunnies attached to their backpacks?
Emily Henry. Viking. $34.99.
Everyone has a story to tell, but when the story is coming from a famously reclusive heiress, you know it's going to be a page turner. With a rockstar husband and a media magnate family that has attracted almost as many headlines as their publications produced, the life story of Margaret Ives is one any writer would love to tell - especially Alice Scott, an up-and-coming journalist who is striving for her big break. There is just one problem: Pulitzer-winning Hayden Anderson is also vying for the memoir of the century. As both writers try to untangle the tantalising history of Ives, they begin to realise that their own story could be a mystery, tragedy or romance.
Love books? Us too! Looking for more reads and recommendations? Browse our books page. Bookmark the page so you can find our latest books content with ease.
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
China shows coast guard capability to Pacific nations
China is taking further steps towards high seas boarding of fishing boats in the Pacific for the first time, risking tensions with Taiwanese fleets and US Coast Guard vessels that ply the region, Pacific Islands officials say. The Chinese Coast Guard demonstrated the capabilities of one of its largest ships, used to enforce maritime law in the Taiwan Strait, to Pacific Island ministers last week. It is also actively involved in debates on the rules of high seas boarding, according to documents and interviews with Pacific fisheries officials. The fisheries officials said it was anticipated China will soon begin patrols in a "crowded" fisheries surveillance space. "Hosting the leaders, demonstrating their capabilities in terms of maritime operations, those kind of things are indications they want to step into that space," said Allan Rahari, director of fisheries operations for the Forum Fisheries Agency, told Reuters. The agency runs enforcement against illegal fishing for a group of 18 Pacific Island countries, with assistance from navy and air force patrols by Australia, the United States, France and New Zealand. The biggest fishing fleets in the Pacific, attracting the most infringement notices by inspectors, are Chinese and Taiwanese. But China is also the largest fisheries partner to some Pacific Island countries, and Rahari said agreements for Chinese coast guard patrols in coastal waters could be struck under security deals with these countries. China registered 26 coast guard vessels with the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in 2024 for high seas boarding and inspections in a vast region where the US and Australia have the biggest inspection fleets. The commission has not received a notification from China that it has conducted any inspection, but Chinese officials have become active in debate over the rules on boardings, WCPFC executive director Rhea Moss-Christian told Reuters. China last year called for a review of the guidelines, and in March, Chinese officials attended a video meeting about an Australian-led effort to strengthen voluntary rules, she said. WCPFC inspectors in international waters need to gain permission for each inspection from the suspected vessel's flag state before boarding. Rahari said it could be "very complicated" diplomatically if a Chinese coast guard vessel sought to board a Taiwanese fishing boat. Beijing does not recognise Taiwan as a separate country. Chinese officials and the Chinese Coast Guard did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Australia declined to comment, while Taiwan and the US Coast Guard did not respond to requests for comment. Papua New Guinea (PNG) foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko said 10 Pacific Island ministers saw the Chinese coast guard demonstrate a maritime emergency drill, but told Reuters they did not discuss Pacific patrols. PNG is negotiating a new defence treaty with Australia, and struck a 2023 security deal with the United States allowing the US Coast Guard to patrol PNG's 2.7 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone. Fiji said it had approved a new maritime security agreement with Australia this week. Under a security treaty struck in December, Nauru must notify Australia before the Chinese navy comes to port. The US Coast Guard has maritime law enforcement agreements with a dozen Pacific Island nations allowing it to enter nations' exclusive economic zones, and increased its patrols last year. "The key considerations for China is stepping into that space without stepping on other partners toes, because that will then create conflicts within the region and that is something we don't want," Rahari said. China is taking further steps towards high seas boarding of fishing boats in the Pacific for the first time, risking tensions with Taiwanese fleets and US Coast Guard vessels that ply the region, Pacific Islands officials say. The Chinese Coast Guard demonstrated the capabilities of one of its largest ships, used to enforce maritime law in the Taiwan Strait, to Pacific Island ministers last week. It is also actively involved in debates on the rules of high seas boarding, according to documents and interviews with Pacific fisheries officials. The fisheries officials said it was anticipated China will soon begin patrols in a "crowded" fisheries surveillance space. "Hosting the leaders, demonstrating their capabilities in terms of maritime operations, those kind of things are indications they want to step into that space," said Allan Rahari, director of fisheries operations for the Forum Fisheries Agency, told Reuters. The agency runs enforcement against illegal fishing for a group of 18 Pacific Island countries, with assistance from navy and air force patrols by Australia, the United States, France and New Zealand. The biggest fishing fleets in the Pacific, attracting the most infringement notices by inspectors, are Chinese and Taiwanese. But China is also the largest fisheries partner to some Pacific Island countries, and Rahari said agreements for Chinese coast guard patrols in coastal waters could be struck under security deals with these countries. China registered 26 coast guard vessels with the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in 2024 for high seas boarding and inspections in a vast region where the US and Australia have the biggest inspection fleets. The commission has not received a notification from China that it has conducted any inspection, but Chinese officials have become active in debate over the rules on boardings, WCPFC executive director Rhea Moss-Christian told Reuters. China last year called for a review of the guidelines, and in March, Chinese officials attended a video meeting about an Australian-led effort to strengthen voluntary rules, she said. WCPFC inspectors in international waters need to gain permission for each inspection from the suspected vessel's flag state before boarding. Rahari said it could be "very complicated" diplomatically if a Chinese coast guard vessel sought to board a Taiwanese fishing boat. Beijing does not recognise Taiwan as a separate country. Chinese officials and the Chinese Coast Guard did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Australia declined to comment, while Taiwan and the US Coast Guard did not respond to requests for comment. Papua New Guinea (PNG) foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko said 10 Pacific Island ministers saw the Chinese coast guard demonstrate a maritime emergency drill, but told Reuters they did not discuss Pacific patrols. PNG is negotiating a new defence treaty with Australia, and struck a 2023 security deal with the United States allowing the US Coast Guard to patrol PNG's 2.7 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone. Fiji said it had approved a new maritime security agreement with Australia this week. Under a security treaty struck in December, Nauru must notify Australia before the Chinese navy comes to port. The US Coast Guard has maritime law enforcement agreements with a dozen Pacific Island nations allowing it to enter nations' exclusive economic zones, and increased its patrols last year. "The key considerations for China is stepping into that space without stepping on other partners toes, because that will then create conflicts within the region and that is something we don't want," Rahari said. China is taking further steps towards high seas boarding of fishing boats in the Pacific for the first time, risking tensions with Taiwanese fleets and US Coast Guard vessels that ply the region, Pacific Islands officials say. The Chinese Coast Guard demonstrated the capabilities of one of its largest ships, used to enforce maritime law in the Taiwan Strait, to Pacific Island ministers last week. It is also actively involved in debates on the rules of high seas boarding, according to documents and interviews with Pacific fisheries officials. The fisheries officials said it was anticipated China will soon begin patrols in a "crowded" fisheries surveillance space. "Hosting the leaders, demonstrating their capabilities in terms of maritime operations, those kind of things are indications they want to step into that space," said Allan Rahari, director of fisheries operations for the Forum Fisheries Agency, told Reuters. The agency runs enforcement against illegal fishing for a group of 18 Pacific Island countries, with assistance from navy and air force patrols by Australia, the United States, France and New Zealand. The biggest fishing fleets in the Pacific, attracting the most infringement notices by inspectors, are Chinese and Taiwanese. But China is also the largest fisheries partner to some Pacific Island countries, and Rahari said agreements for Chinese coast guard patrols in coastal waters could be struck under security deals with these countries. China registered 26 coast guard vessels with the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in 2024 for high seas boarding and inspections in a vast region where the US and Australia have the biggest inspection fleets. The commission has not received a notification from China that it has conducted any inspection, but Chinese officials have become active in debate over the rules on boardings, WCPFC executive director Rhea Moss-Christian told Reuters. China last year called for a review of the guidelines, and in March, Chinese officials attended a video meeting about an Australian-led effort to strengthen voluntary rules, she said. WCPFC inspectors in international waters need to gain permission for each inspection from the suspected vessel's flag state before boarding. Rahari said it could be "very complicated" diplomatically if a Chinese coast guard vessel sought to board a Taiwanese fishing boat. Beijing does not recognise Taiwan as a separate country. Chinese officials and the Chinese Coast Guard did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Australia declined to comment, while Taiwan and the US Coast Guard did not respond to requests for comment. Papua New Guinea (PNG) foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko said 10 Pacific Island ministers saw the Chinese coast guard demonstrate a maritime emergency drill, but told Reuters they did not discuss Pacific patrols. PNG is negotiating a new defence treaty with Australia, and struck a 2023 security deal with the United States allowing the US Coast Guard to patrol PNG's 2.7 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone. Fiji said it had approved a new maritime security agreement with Australia this week. Under a security treaty struck in December, Nauru must notify Australia before the Chinese navy comes to port. The US Coast Guard has maritime law enforcement agreements with a dozen Pacific Island nations allowing it to enter nations' exclusive economic zones, and increased its patrols last year. "The key considerations for China is stepping into that space without stepping on other partners toes, because that will then create conflicts within the region and that is something we don't want," Rahari said. China is taking further steps towards high seas boarding of fishing boats in the Pacific for the first time, risking tensions with Taiwanese fleets and US Coast Guard vessels that ply the region, Pacific Islands officials say. The Chinese Coast Guard demonstrated the capabilities of one of its largest ships, used to enforce maritime law in the Taiwan Strait, to Pacific Island ministers last week. It is also actively involved in debates on the rules of high seas boarding, according to documents and interviews with Pacific fisheries officials. The fisheries officials said it was anticipated China will soon begin patrols in a "crowded" fisheries surveillance space. "Hosting the leaders, demonstrating their capabilities in terms of maritime operations, those kind of things are indications they want to step into that space," said Allan Rahari, director of fisheries operations for the Forum Fisheries Agency, told Reuters. The agency runs enforcement against illegal fishing for a group of 18 Pacific Island countries, with assistance from navy and air force patrols by Australia, the United States, France and New Zealand. The biggest fishing fleets in the Pacific, attracting the most infringement notices by inspectors, are Chinese and Taiwanese. But China is also the largest fisheries partner to some Pacific Island countries, and Rahari said agreements for Chinese coast guard patrols in coastal waters could be struck under security deals with these countries. China registered 26 coast guard vessels with the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in 2024 for high seas boarding and inspections in a vast region where the US and Australia have the biggest inspection fleets. The commission has not received a notification from China that it has conducted any inspection, but Chinese officials have become active in debate over the rules on boardings, WCPFC executive director Rhea Moss-Christian told Reuters. China last year called for a review of the guidelines, and in March, Chinese officials attended a video meeting about an Australian-led effort to strengthen voluntary rules, she said. WCPFC inspectors in international waters need to gain permission for each inspection from the suspected vessel's flag state before boarding. Rahari said it could be "very complicated" diplomatically if a Chinese coast guard vessel sought to board a Taiwanese fishing boat. Beijing does not recognise Taiwan as a separate country. Chinese officials and the Chinese Coast Guard did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Australia declined to comment, while Taiwan and the US Coast Guard did not respond to requests for comment. Papua New Guinea (PNG) foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko said 10 Pacific Island ministers saw the Chinese coast guard demonstrate a maritime emergency drill, but told Reuters they did not discuss Pacific patrols. PNG is negotiating a new defence treaty with Australia, and struck a 2023 security deal with the United States allowing the US Coast Guard to patrol PNG's 2.7 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone. Fiji said it had approved a new maritime security agreement with Australia this week. Under a security treaty struck in December, Nauru must notify Australia before the Chinese navy comes to port. The US Coast Guard has maritime law enforcement agreements with a dozen Pacific Island nations allowing it to enter nations' exclusive economic zones, and increased its patrols last year. "The key considerations for China is stepping into that space without stepping on other partners toes, because that will then create conflicts within the region and that is something we don't want," Rahari said.
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘When there's smoke there's fire': US beef imports from external countries must be ‘ruled out'
Nationals Leader David Littleproud says the potential of US imports of beef from places like Mexico and Canada needs to be ruled out 'immediately' by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. 'He needs to make sure that he is very clear with Australian producers that our biosecurity standards will not be reduced,' Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia. 'I don't think Australian producers are asking for anything unfair here.'
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Australia should not ‘relinquish' biosecurity standards for US
Nationals Leader David Littleproud claims Australia does not 'fear competition' amid the trade talks on beef with US President Donald Trump. 'We don't fear the fact of us competing with the US beef that's already coming into Australian markets,' Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia. 'What we do fear is a drop in biosecurity standards that would pose a biosecurity risk that could damage our herd, cost Australian farmers billions. 'We have the best biosecurity in the world … we shouldn't relinquish that to anybody.'
