Australia formally requests WTO probe into China's 80% tariff on barley
Canberra/Sputnik: Australia has formally asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to launch an investigation into China's 80% tariff on barley after attempts to privately resolve the issue failed, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said on Wednesday.
18-year-old man arrested over terrorism-related charges: Australian Federal Police
Canberra/Sputnik: The Australian Federal Police said on Wednesday that it had arrested an 18-year-old man in the southern city of Albury in the New South Wales (NSW) state over terrorism-related offenses.
Australia demands Chinese govt's apology for posting 'images' on social media, Beijing refuses
Sydney: Australia has demanded China to apologise for allegedly posting a fake picture on a government Twitter account that depicted an Australian soldier murdering an Afghan child.
Australia rejects China's charges of wine dumping, calls new duties 'concerning' -Minister
Canberra/Sputnik: Australia is concerned with China's decision to impose tariffs on its wine exports and firmly rejects Beijing's dumping accusations, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Friday.
Trade restrictions: Australian govt asks China to explain why it has been singled out
Canberra: Australia's trade minister has said China should explain why it appears to have singled out Australia with a range of import restrictions that have disrupted trade flows and undermined trust in the economic ties.
Canberra: Australian PM Scott Morrison has said he would not compromise his country's national security and sovereignty, amid growing bitterness in the relationship with Beijing.
South Australia state going into 6-day lockdown for authorities to boost contact tracing
Canberra/Sputnik: Australia's state of South Australia will lock down for the next six days in order for the authorities to carry out contact tracing in a timely manner amid an accelerated spread of the coronavirus, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said on Wednesday.
Countering China: Japan, Australia to sign defence pact
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison are likely to sign a defence agreement soon, a move which is being seen as a counter stance against China’s growing influence in the South China Sea and over the Pacific island nations.
Ex-Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull warns country to not buckle under pressure from China
Canberra: Former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has cautioned that the nation should not “buckle under pressure” from an onslaught of trade actions from Beijing and change its stance on controversial bilateral issues with China.
Australia should know how to fix trade bond with China: Beijing
Canberra/Beijing: Adding fuel to the already tense relationship between Canberra and Beijing, a top Chinese official has said Australia should know what step is needed to be taken to improve ties.
Austrian police detain 30 people in counterterrorism operation: Reports
Moscow/Sputnik: Austrian police on Monday conducted searches at 60 premises and detained 30 people for questioning as part of a counterterrorism operation, which has no links to a recent deadly attack in Vienna, media reported.
With more bans on products expected, relationship between China-Australia touches new lows
China has banned imports of Australian timber from Queensland and suspended barley imports from a second grain exporter, while Chinese importers are also bracing for a new round of bans on copper ore and copper concentrate as well as sugar this week, a move which is seen by experts as the latest point of escalating tension between the two nations.
Australian writer charged with spying in China after almost 2 years in custody: Reports
Moscow/Sputnik: Chinese-born Australian writer and pro-democracy political commentator Yang Hengjun has been formally charged with espionage in China after nearly two years of detention, ABC reported.
Australian PM announces digital business plan to drive economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic
Canberra/Xinhua: The Australian Government announced on Tuesday a digital business plan to enable businesses to take advantage of digital technologies to grow their businesses and create jobs in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
India-Australia-US join party to shatter Chinese dream of Kra canal project in Thailand
New Delhi: China might receive a hit in the diplomatic front as India, Australia, and the USA—three of the four integral members of the Quad- have now shown interest to invest in the Kra Canal project which is being actively entertained by the Thailand government.