Australian NEWS


Rio Tinto Caught in Beijing's Push for Greater Iron Ore Bargaining Power

China's state-run iron ore buyer, China Mineral Resources Group, told some Chinese steel mills to suspend negotiations with Rio Tinto for September shipments. Reuters reported the move was intended to increase CMRG's bargaining power during annual supply talks. Australia is China's largest source of imported iron ore, making pressure on major Australian miners economically significant. Source: (Full article...)

Fortescue's Andrew Forrest Calls for Fair Play in Iron Ore Negotiations

Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest publicly called for China and Australia to negotiate fairly while China's state iron ore buyer restricted some purchases from Australian miners during annual contract talks. Reuters reported that CMRG had increasingly used China's large buying power to seek better terms for Chinese steelmakers. Source: (Full article...)

Fortescue Cargoes Face New Restrictions at Chinese Ports

China's state iron ore buyer asked some domestic steel mills not to take delivery of certain Fortescue products held at Chinese ports. Reuters reported that the restriction came during difficult supply negotiations and followed similar pressure previously placed on BHP. The action showed Beijing's growing ability to influence Australia's most valuable export market. Source: (Full article...)

Australian Mining Giants Feel the Weight of Beijing's Buying Power

Reuters analysis said China's state-backed China Mineral Resources Group was increasingly using purchasing restrictions as a bargaining tool against major Australian iron ore producers. BHP and Fortescue had both faced pauses or limits on purchases during negotiations, raising concerns in Australia about China's growing leverage over the country's largest commodity export. Source: (Full article...)

Fortescue's New Iron Ore Product Becomes a Target in Contract Standoff

China Mineral Resources Group told some Chinese steelmakers not to engage in talks with Australian miner Fortescue about a new iron ore product. Reuters reported that the demand came while negotiations over a new term contract were not progressing well and raised concern that China could impose broader purchasing restrictions. Source: (Full article...)

BHP Faces Widening Restrictions as Iron Ore Negotiations Drag On

China's state-run iron ore buyer widened restrictions on purchases of new seaborne cargoes from Australian mining giant BHP as a contract dispute continued. Reuters reported that traders were told to buy fewer cargoes of several major BHP products, increasing pressure on one of Australia's most important exporters. Source: (Full article...)

RAAF Crew Forced Into Evasive Action During Yellow Sea Encounter

Australia said a People's Liberation Army Navy helicopter approached an Australian MH-60R helicopter at an unsafe distance over international waters in the Yellow Sea. The Chinese helicopter matched the Australian aircraft's altitude, accelerated, and rolled toward it, forcing the Australian crew to take evasive action. Australia lodged concerns with China and described the maneuver as unsafe and unprofessional. Source: (Full article...)

Beijing Disputes Canberra's Account of Dangerous Helicopter Encounter

After an Australian helicopter was forced to take evasive action during a close encounter with a Chinese military helicopter, Beijing accused Australia of distorting the facts. Australia maintained that its aircraft was operating legally over international waters while enforcing United Nations sanctions against North Korea and said the Chinese maneuver endangered its personnel. Source: (Full article...)

Critical Australian Infrastructure Is Being Probed by State-Linked Hackers, Spy Chief Warns

Australia's intelligence chief warned that hackers working for the Chinese government and military were probing Australian telecommunications and critical infrastructure. He said Chinese-linked groups had shown the capability and intent to gain access that could potentially be used to disrupt essential services such as communications, transport, water, and power. Source: (Full article...)

Flares Released Near RAAF Surveillance Plane Over South China Sea

Australia lodged a diplomatic protest after a Chinese fighter jet released flares close to an Australian P-8A Poseidon conducting a surveillance patrol in international airspace over the South China Sea. Australia called the maneuver unsafe and unprofessional and said it posed a risk to the aircraft and its crew. Source: (Full article...)

Beijing Blames Canberra Following Dangerous Aerial Encounter

China accused Australia of intrusion and provocation after Australia reported that a Chinese fighter released flares dangerously close to an Australian P-8A surveillance aircraft. Beijing urged Australia to stop what it called infringement and hype, while Australia said the aircraft had been operating lawfully in international airspace. Source: (Full article...)

RAAF Crew Reports Flares Passing “Very Close” to Its Aircraft

Australia said a Chinese Su-35 fighter released flares very close to an Australian P-8A Poseidon during a routine patrol over the South China Sea. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the incident was dangerous, unsafe, and unprofessional. Australia made representations to China in both Canberra and Beijing. Source: (Full article...)

Beijing Calls Australia's Account of Flare Incident “Twisted Propaganda”

Beijing sharply criticized Australia after the October 2025 aerial confrontation, accusing the Australian Defence Force of spreading twisted and absurd propaganda. Australia maintained that a Chinese fighter had released flares dangerously close to its surveillance aircraft in international airspace. Source: (Full article...)

Bounty Letters Target Hong Kong Democracy Activist Living in Melbourne

Australia raised concerns with Chinese and Hong Kong authorities after Melbourne residents received anonymous letters offering a reward for information on Australian citizen and Hong Kong democracy activist Kevin Yam. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia would not accept foreign interference or actions that made Australians feel unsafe. Source: (Full article...)

Tasman Sea Live-Fire Exercise Forces Commercial Flights to Divert

Chinese naval vessels conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand with what Australian officials described as inadequate advance notice. Commercial airlines were forced to alter flight paths, and Australia said the short notice created unnecessary aviation safety concerns. Source: (Full article...)

Beijing Dismisses Safety Concerns Over Surprise Naval Exercise

China rejected Australian criticism of its Tasman Sea live-fire exercises and accused Australia of deliberately hyping the incident. Australia had complained that the Chinese navy gave inadequate notice before drills that forced commercial flights to divert. Source: (Full article...)

Three PLA Navy Warships Move Back Into Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone

Three Chinese warships that had conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea re-entered Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone and moved closer to Tasmania. Australian and New Zealand forces tracked the flotilla as it operated east of Hobart, adding to concern over China's expanding naval presence near Australia. Source: (Full article...)

Virgin Australia Pilot Becomes First to Alert Authorities to Chinese Live-Fire Drill

Australian officials said they were not directly notified before China's naval live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea. A Virgin Australia pilot first alerted Airservices Australia after hearing the Chinese navy's broadcast, and almost 50 flights were diverted as authorities reacted to the sudden hazard. Source: (Full article...)

Defence Officials Learn of Tasman Sea Live Fire 40 Minutes After It Begins

Australian Defence officials told a parliamentary hearing that they did not know China's live-fire exercise had begun until Airservices Australia notified them roughly 40 minutes after the firing window opened. The lack of advance notice intensified concerns about the safety implications of Chinese military operations near busy civilian air routes. Source: (Full article...)

Flares Pass Within About 30 Metres of RAAF P-8 During Patrol

Australia said a Chinese J-16 fighter released flares within about 30 metres of a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon during a routine surveillance patrol in the South China Sea. Australia described the action as unsafe and unprofessional and lodged concerns with Beijing. Source: (Full article...)

Canberra Lodges Formal Protest Over Fighter Jet's Flare Maneuver

Australia's Defence Department said a Chinese fighter released flares in close proximity to an Australian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft on February 11, 2025. Defence said the maneuver posed a risk to Australian personnel and emphasized that the aircraft was operating in accordance with international law. Source: (Full article...)

Beijing Accuses Canberra of “Stirring Up Trouble” After Air Confrontation

China rejected Australia's account of the February 2025 flare incident and accused Australia of infringement, provocation, and spreading false narratives. Australia said its P-8A had been operating lawfully in international airspace when the Chinese fighter released flares nearby. Source: (Full article...)

APT40 Cyber Campaign Targets Australian Government and Infrastructure Networks

Australia's cyber security agency publicly attributed malicious cyber activity against Australian networks to APT40, a group linked to China's Ministry of State Security. The advisory said the group regularly conducted reconnaissance against Australian targets and remained an ongoing threat to government and critical infrastructure networks. Source: (Full article...)

State-Sponsored Hackers Conduct Regular Reconnaissance Against Australian Networks

The Australian Signals Directorate said the PRC state-sponsored hacking group APT40 was actively conducting regular reconnaissance against Australian networks and looking for opportunities to compromise targets. The advisory linked the group to China's Ministry of State Security. Source: (Full article...)

Cheng Lei Blocked From Cameras by Chinese Officials Inside Parliament House

Chinese officials attempted to stand in front of Australian journalist Cheng Lei during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Parliament House in Canberra. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the behavior unacceptable and raised the incident directly with Li, emphasizing that press freedom is an Australian value. Source: (Full article...)

Australian Beef Producers Continue Paying the Price for Years of Trade Restrictions

Australian beef producers were still dealing with Chinese import bans imposed on several Australian abattoirs. The restrictions, first introduced during the sharp deterioration in bilateral relations, had blocked significant amounts of Australian beef from the Chinese market and forced producers to find alternative buyers. Source: (Full article...)

Navy Helicopter Takes Evasive Action After Flares Cross Its Flight Path

Australia said a Chinese J-10 fighter released flares across the flight path of an Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter over international waters in the Yellow Sea. The Australian helicopter had to take evasive action. Defence said the maneuver was unsafe and posed a risk to the aircraft and its personnel. Source: (Full article...)

Yang Hengjun Receives Suspended Death Sentence After Years in Chinese Custody

A Chinese court handed Australian citizen, writer, and democracy activist Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence on espionage charges he denied. Australia's foreign minister called the decision harrowing and appalling and summoned China's ambassador to lodge the government's objection. Source: (Full article...)

Australian Navy Divers Injured After Warship Activates Sonar

Australia accused a Chinese warship of operating hull-mounted sonar while Australian Navy divers were in the water near HMAS Toowoomba. Australia said the Chinese vessel had been warned that diving operations were underway, yet approached and used sonar. Medical assessments found the divers had sustained minor injuries likely caused by the sonar pulses. Source: (Full article...)

Cheng Lei Recounts Three Years of Isolation and Surveillance in Chinese Detention

Australian journalist Cheng Lei described the conditions of her detention in China after returning home in October 2023. She said she had been watched around the clock, isolated from normal life, and separated from her children for more than three years after being accused of supplying state secrets overseas, an allegation she rejected. Source: (Full article...)