Latest news with #CommunistParty
Mint
9 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Australia Sidesteps US Tensions to Seek Closer China Trade Ties
The prime minister of Australia, a longtime US security partner in Asia, sought to focus his trip to China this week on business and trade opportunities, dodging thornier issues around US-China competition such as Taiwan or Beijing's military expansion. Since taking office just over three years ago, Anthony Albanese has repaired his country's relationship with China, the market for about one-third of its exports, after suffering Beijing's punitive tariffs and other restrictions during the pandemic. Now, however, President Donald Trump's renewed trade war between the US and China risk again destabilizing those ties, as they do for Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and others in the region who look to Washington for security but to China for trade. 'Given that China is overwhelmingly, by far, the largest trading partner that Australia has, it is very much in the interests of Australian jobs and the Australian economy to have a positive and constructive relationship,' Albanese said Tuesday after meeting President Xi Jinping. The Chinese leader was equally enthusiastic: 'The China-Australia relationship has risen from the setbacks and turned around, bringing tangible benefits to the Chinese and Australian peoples,' he said, obliquely referring to the tensions before 2022. The leaders seemingly both avoided any tricky security-related issues, including the potential forced sale of the port of Darwin by its Chinese owner, given its proximity to where US Marines exercise. Albanese said the issue didn't come up. Neither, he said, did complaints about Australia's foreign investment regime, which has blocked a number of proposed purchases by Chinese firms, nor reports that the US has pressured Canberra about its role in any potential war over Taiwan. On Taiwan, Albanese said he reaffirmed his nation's commitment to the 'status quo' — support for the island's de facto autonomy without endorsing formal independence and maintaining recognition of the One China policy. His remarks highlight Australia's opposition to any unilateral move, especially by force, to alter the cross-strait balance. Chinese state media has been positive about the trip, with an editorial Monday in the China Daily, the main Communist Party mouthpiece in English, saying that it highlights 'Australia's commitment to deepening ties and fostering stability amid the uncertain global landscape.' 'Against the backdrop of rising tensions between the United States and many countries because of the US administration's recent threat to levy higher tariffs' his visit 'shows that the Australian side has a clearer judgment and understanding of China' than the previous government of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the editorial said. 'The progress made in their economic and trade cooperation in the past two years has benefited the people of both countries, and provided a counterweight amid the rampancy of unilateralism and protectionism,' it said. Albanese took pains to argue that his government wasn't looking to China to make up for the changes to US trade policy under Trump. 'Trade with the US is important, but is less than 5%' of what the country sells, he said. 'What Australia is doing is engaging not just with China, but we engage as well with our partners around the world and we increasingly want to see a diversification of our trade.' Albanese heads next to Chengdu on his six-day trip, which comes on the heels of visits by a number of Australian officials. Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser traveled there in April, followed by Governor Michele Bullock in May. The two nations are set to start a review of their Free Trade Agreement, which was signed a decade ago, Albanese also said Tuesday. China's Ambassador Xiao Qian in an editorial last week called for a review 'with a more open attitude and higher standard.' While China bought almost $62 billion of Australian goods in the first half of this year, managing the relationship is complicated by Beijing's increased assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific. In February, it conducted live-fire naval drills in the Tasman Sea, near Australia and New Zealand. Albanese said at the time that he was concerned by the lack of notice from Beijing over the drills, which he also said were within the bounds of international law. He said Tuesday that he sought assurances from Xi about being better informed in the future. He didn't clarify if he received them. With assistance from Josh Xiao. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Don't overlook mental health in the quest for China's innovative future
China is now busy drafting the next five-year plan, which will run from 2026 to 2030, and that analysts say will be crucial to determining whether the country can fulfil President Xi Jinping's Vision 2035. Under the blueprint, China should make a major leap in economic and technological prowess by 2035, as well as see a rise in rural and urban incomes. It also envisages breakthroughs in core technologies, a modern military, modern governance, and narrowing of the urban-rural divide to achieve common prosperity. The vision was put forward in 2020, and the Communist Party aims to make it a reality through the three five-year plans from 2020 to 2035. Its emphasis on the new economy, innovation and scientific talent is not surprising, given China's tech war with the United States. However, one important area the policymakers should not overlook is the growing need for mental and psychological health services among the population. Over the decades, much attention has been focused on economic development, and personal needs such as resolving family disputes have usually fallen on the shoulders of local cadres at the street and neighbourhood levels. At the same time, teachers were responsible for dealing with the emotional problems of their pupils.
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Thorny issues broached as Albanese, Xi go head-to-head
Anthony Albanese has used a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to raise concerns over China's lack of notice before it conducted military drills off the Australian coast. The live firing exercise in international waters near Australia in February, which forced the diversion of commercial flights, was among topics on the agenda during talks between the two leaders in Beijing. Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, Mr Albanese said he had secured a commitment for China to better inform Australia on military drills in the region. The prime minister noted the drills being in international waters didn't contravene international law "but that we were concerned about the notice and the way that it happened, including the live fire exercises". Australia's position on there being no unilateral change to the status quo over Taiwan was also conveyed to the president, he said. "We want peace and security in the region, that is in the interests of both Australia and China," Mr Albanese replied when asked whether he had raised China's unprecedented military build up. Mr Xi didn't raise reports the United States had asked Australia to commit to teaming up during a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, nor Labor's commitment to terminate a Chinese company's lease of the Port of Darwin, Mr Albanese added. The prime minister also raised the detention of Australian writer Yang Hengjun but said he didn't expect immediate progress on the case. Dr Yang was given a suspended death sentence in China on secretive national security charges that Australia rejects. "I raised the case, you wouldn't expect there to be an immediate outcome and that is not the way things work," Mr Albanese told reporters. In his opening remarks ahead of the meeting, Mr Xi hailed improved relations with Australia. The president was all smiles as he greeted his Australian guest in the East Hall - one of the many ornate chambers in the Great Hall of the People. "The most important thing we can learn from this is that a commitment to equal treatment, to seeking common ground while sharing differences, pursuing mutually beneficial co-operation, for our countries and peoples," he said. China's president pointed to past meetings as "in-depth discussions on the strategic overarching issues critical to the direction of China-Australia relations" "With joint efforts from both sides the China-Australia relationship has recovered from the setback and turned around," Mr Xi said. Tuesday's bilateral meetings with President Xi, Premier Li Qiang and Communist Party Chairman Zhao Leji - the three highest-ranking members of China's ruling committee - mark the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's six-day tour of the Middle Kingdom. With China and Australia's comprehensive strategic partnership entering its second decade, Mr Xi said he was ready to push the relationship further to reap greater benefits for both peoples. The meeting comes as the Chinese-Australian free trade agreement passes its 10th anniversary. Co-operation between the two nations has increased following a falling out during the COVID-19 pandemic. An article by a Chinese state media influencer suggested Beijing could restrict Australian imports as retaliation, risking financial blowback for Australian companies. It comes as Chinese security officials tried to stop Australian journalists, who were travelling with the prime minister's delegation, from leaving a tourist attraction in Beijing after filming in the area. The group of reporters had permission to film at the location, but were stopped by security officials and were told to hand over footage before police arrived. The journalists were able to leave the site with the footage, despite being followed by security. Anthony Albanese has used a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to raise concerns over China's lack of notice before it conducted military drills off the Australian coast. The live firing exercise in international waters near Australia in February, which forced the diversion of commercial flights, was among topics on the agenda during talks between the two leaders in Beijing. Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, Mr Albanese said he had secured a commitment for China to better inform Australia on military drills in the region. The prime minister noted the drills being in international waters didn't contravene international law "but that we were concerned about the notice and the way that it happened, including the live fire exercises". Australia's position on there being no unilateral change to the status quo over Taiwan was also conveyed to the president, he said. "We want peace and security in the region, that is in the interests of both Australia and China," Mr Albanese replied when asked whether he had raised China's unprecedented military build up. Mr Xi didn't raise reports the United States had asked Australia to commit to teaming up during a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, nor Labor's commitment to terminate a Chinese company's lease of the Port of Darwin, Mr Albanese added. The prime minister also raised the detention of Australian writer Yang Hengjun but said he didn't expect immediate progress on the case. Dr Yang was given a suspended death sentence in China on secretive national security charges that Australia rejects. "I raised the case, you wouldn't expect there to be an immediate outcome and that is not the way things work," Mr Albanese told reporters. In his opening remarks ahead of the meeting, Mr Xi hailed improved relations with Australia. The president was all smiles as he greeted his Australian guest in the East Hall - one of the many ornate chambers in the Great Hall of the People. "The most important thing we can learn from this is that a commitment to equal treatment, to seeking common ground while sharing differences, pursuing mutually beneficial co-operation, for our countries and peoples," he said. China's president pointed to past meetings as "in-depth discussions on the strategic overarching issues critical to the direction of China-Australia relations" "With joint efforts from both sides the China-Australia relationship has recovered from the setback and turned around," Mr Xi said. Tuesday's bilateral meetings with President Xi, Premier Li Qiang and Communist Party Chairman Zhao Leji - the three highest-ranking members of China's ruling committee - mark the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's six-day tour of the Middle Kingdom. With China and Australia's comprehensive strategic partnership entering its second decade, Mr Xi said he was ready to push the relationship further to reap greater benefits for both peoples. The meeting comes as the Chinese-Australian free trade agreement passes its 10th anniversary. Co-operation between the two nations has increased following a falling out during the COVID-19 pandemic. An article by a Chinese state media influencer suggested Beijing could restrict Australian imports as retaliation, risking financial blowback for Australian companies. It comes as Chinese security officials tried to stop Australian journalists, who were travelling with the prime minister's delegation, from leaving a tourist attraction in Beijing after filming in the area. The group of reporters had permission to film at the location, but were stopped by security officials and were told to hand over footage before police arrived. The journalists were able to leave the site with the footage, despite being followed by security. Anthony Albanese has used a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to raise concerns over China's lack of notice before it conducted military drills off the Australian coast. The live firing exercise in international waters near Australia in February, which forced the diversion of commercial flights, was among topics on the agenda during talks between the two leaders in Beijing. Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, Mr Albanese said he had secured a commitment for China to better inform Australia on military drills in the region. The prime minister noted the drills being in international waters didn't contravene international law "but that we were concerned about the notice and the way that it happened, including the live fire exercises". Australia's position on there being no unilateral change to the status quo over Taiwan was also conveyed to the president, he said. "We want peace and security in the region, that is in the interests of both Australia and China," Mr Albanese replied when asked whether he had raised China's unprecedented military build up. Mr Xi didn't raise reports the United States had asked Australia to commit to teaming up during a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, nor Labor's commitment to terminate a Chinese company's lease of the Port of Darwin, Mr Albanese added. The prime minister also raised the detention of Australian writer Yang Hengjun but said he didn't expect immediate progress on the case. Dr Yang was given a suspended death sentence in China on secretive national security charges that Australia rejects. "I raised the case, you wouldn't expect there to be an immediate outcome and that is not the way things work," Mr Albanese told reporters. In his opening remarks ahead of the meeting, Mr Xi hailed improved relations with Australia. The president was all smiles as he greeted his Australian guest in the East Hall - one of the many ornate chambers in the Great Hall of the People. "The most important thing we can learn from this is that a commitment to equal treatment, to seeking common ground while sharing differences, pursuing mutually beneficial co-operation, for our countries and peoples," he said. China's president pointed to past meetings as "in-depth discussions on the strategic overarching issues critical to the direction of China-Australia relations" "With joint efforts from both sides the China-Australia relationship has recovered from the setback and turned around," Mr Xi said. Tuesday's bilateral meetings with President Xi, Premier Li Qiang and Communist Party Chairman Zhao Leji - the three highest-ranking members of China's ruling committee - mark the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's six-day tour of the Middle Kingdom. With China and Australia's comprehensive strategic partnership entering its second decade, Mr Xi said he was ready to push the relationship further to reap greater benefits for both peoples. The meeting comes as the Chinese-Australian free trade agreement passes its 10th anniversary. Co-operation between the two nations has increased following a falling out during the COVID-19 pandemic. An article by a Chinese state media influencer suggested Beijing could restrict Australian imports as retaliation, risking financial blowback for Australian companies. It comes as Chinese security officials tried to stop Australian journalists, who were travelling with the prime minister's delegation, from leaving a tourist attraction in Beijing after filming in the area. The group of reporters had permission to film at the location, but were stopped by security officials and were told to hand over footage before police arrived. The journalists were able to leave the site with the footage, despite being followed by security. Anthony Albanese has used a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to raise concerns over China's lack of notice before it conducted military drills off the Australian coast. The live firing exercise in international waters near Australia in February, which forced the diversion of commercial flights, was among topics on the agenda during talks between the two leaders in Beijing. Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, Mr Albanese said he had secured a commitment for China to better inform Australia on military drills in the region. The prime minister noted the drills being in international waters didn't contravene international law "but that we were concerned about the notice and the way that it happened, including the live fire exercises". Australia's position on there being no unilateral change to the status quo over Taiwan was also conveyed to the president, he said. "We want peace and security in the region, that is in the interests of both Australia and China," Mr Albanese replied when asked whether he had raised China's unprecedented military build up. Mr Xi didn't raise reports the United States had asked Australia to commit to teaming up during a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, nor Labor's commitment to terminate a Chinese company's lease of the Port of Darwin, Mr Albanese added. The prime minister also raised the detention of Australian writer Yang Hengjun but said he didn't expect immediate progress on the case. Dr Yang was given a suspended death sentence in China on secretive national security charges that Australia rejects. "I raised the case, you wouldn't expect there to be an immediate outcome and that is not the way things work," Mr Albanese told reporters. In his opening remarks ahead of the meeting, Mr Xi hailed improved relations with Australia. The president was all smiles as he greeted his Australian guest in the East Hall - one of the many ornate chambers in the Great Hall of the People. "The most important thing we can learn from this is that a commitment to equal treatment, to seeking common ground while sharing differences, pursuing mutually beneficial co-operation, for our countries and peoples," he said. China's president pointed to past meetings as "in-depth discussions on the strategic overarching issues critical to the direction of China-Australia relations" "With joint efforts from both sides the China-Australia relationship has recovered from the setback and turned around," Mr Xi said. Tuesday's bilateral meetings with President Xi, Premier Li Qiang and Communist Party Chairman Zhao Leji - the three highest-ranking members of China's ruling committee - mark the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's six-day tour of the Middle Kingdom. With China and Australia's comprehensive strategic partnership entering its second decade, Mr Xi said he was ready to push the relationship further to reap greater benefits for both peoples. The meeting comes as the Chinese-Australian free trade agreement passes its 10th anniversary. Co-operation between the two nations has increased following a falling out during the COVID-19 pandemic. An article by a Chinese state media influencer suggested Beijing could restrict Australian imports as retaliation, risking financial blowback for Australian companies. It comes as Chinese security officials tried to stop Australian journalists, who were travelling with the prime minister's delegation, from leaving a tourist attraction in Beijing after filming in the area. The group of reporters had permission to film at the location, but were stopped by security officials and were told to hand over footage before police arrived. The journalists were able to leave the site with the footage, despite being followed by security.
Al Arabiya
20 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Chinese Economy Grows At A 5.2% Annual Pace In April-June Quarter Despite Trade War
China's economy slowed in the last quarter as President Donald Trump's trade war escalated, but it still expanded at a robust 5.2 percent pace, the government said Tuesday. That compares with 5.4 percent annual growth in January–March. The government said Tuesday that in quarterly terms the world's second largest economy expanded by 1.1 percent. In the first half of the year, the Chinese economy grew at a 5.3 percent annual pace. A key factor was strong exports. On Monday, China reported that its exports accelerated in June, rising 5.8 percent from a year earlier, up from a 4.8 percent increase in May. A reprieve on the painfully high tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States prompted a rush of orders by companies and consumers as the two sides resumed trade talks. Chinese companies also have expanded exports to and offshore manufacturing in other countries, helping to offset the impact of higher tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. 'Generally speaking, with the more proactive and effective macro policies taking effect…the national economy maintained steady growth with good momentum, showcasing strong resilience and vitality,' the report by the National Bureau of Statistics said. However, a 0.1 percent decline in consumer prices in the first half of 2025 showed continuing weakness in domestic demand, a long-term challenge for the ruling communist party.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
‘Comrade' is no longer in fashion in China, but some people still want to bring it back
A recent opinion piece in the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party, argued that China should bring back the term 'comrade' (tongzhi) as the common form of address among Chinese people. It is an interesting proposal, as the term's political and cultural implications are largely out of touch with Chinese society. Advertisement While comrade is a formal form of address inside the Communist Party, its use is limited to official settings. It is used as a suffix to full names in documents, such as letters of appointment and eulogies. In notices related to investigations, use of the term could be seen as an indication of the seriousness of the allegations. For instance, China's former foreign minister Qin Gang was addressed as a comrade in the last official document mentioning him, implying that Qin had retained his party membership. In day-to-day conversations, comrade is still used to address a young clerk in a government office, or a policeman on the street, but it sounds old-fashioned and is usually not the best choice. Comrade used without a full name is the equivalent of a bland 'hello' to someone who doesn't look important in the government. It would be safer to call a government official 'leader' (lingdao) if they carry certain authority, but it becomes easier if their name and title are known. The standard would then be the family name plus title. 'Director Wang' would be much more acceptable than 'comrade Wang'. Chinese President Xi Jinping extends Spring Festival greetings to residents in north China's Tianjin municipality, February 1, 2024. Photo: Xinhua Outside the government, comrade is sometimes used to refer to a homosexual male – 'he is a tongzhi' means 'he is gay'. The original meaning of comrade, which means 'people share the same will', as well as its implied values of equality and solidarity, has lost its relevance amid the wealth gap and social divides. How could an employer address a soon-to-be-sacked employee as a comrade, and wouldn't it be ridiculous to call Chinese tycoons comrades when their net personal wealth was in the billions of dollars? Advertisement
