'The Zoom case demonstrates there is no market-based solution to the problem of Chinese govt coercion of U.S. businesses with operations in China. Democratic societies cannot look to companies to fix this. The only alternative is one of govt action.'

thewirechina.com/2023/08/06/mut…

The Philippine Coast Guard has recorded evidence of the Chinese Maritime Militia working in conjunction with the Chinese Coast Guard to obstruct the resupply boat's passage towards Ayungin Shoal.

Ever wonder why a far-left group like Code Pink became a strident defender of Chinese government policies, including the brutal crackdown on Uyghurs in Xinjiang? ⁦Mara Hvistendahl⁩ ⁦David Fahrenthold⁩ ⁦Lynsey Chutel⁩ have answers. nytimes.com/2023/08/05/wor…

BREAKING: #HongKong national security police have taken away the parents and brother of activist Nathan Law for questioning, according to several local media outlets citing sources.

(Such pressure on families something we'd normally only see in the mainland.)

Bill.birtles on Threads.

I’m moving 🏡

Such a pleasure to host you, President Widodo.

Joko Widodo arrives in Australia tonight. The economically buoyant Indonesia is very interested in Australia's lithium reserves to build its domestic electric car industry. Here's Indonesia correspondent Bill Birtles. #abc730

So I now have an arrest warrant over me for colluding with foreign forces.

Meanwhile an Indonesian football commentator who is now trying to sell the pricey tix he bought for Monday’s match in Jakarta sans Messi told me: “Argentina without Messi is like buying tickets to the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger”. Chris Martin better turn up in November!

I suspect the security guards at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium might be sent to fitness training after this last night in the Australia-Argentina game.

Amazing how long this Chinese fan — to huge cheers — was able to run around the pitch, hug Messi and almost finish another lap.

🚨 Video: A Chinese warship came within 150 yards of hitting American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon.

Embarked journalists captured the moment on video & witnessed the near collision.

'The fact this was announced over the radio prior to doing it clearly indicated it was intentional.'

Farewell to the China reporting patch and farewell to Taiwan, after an extraordinarily unusual 8 years covering China and the East Asia region for the ABC: abc.net.au/news/backstory…

Interesting. The Ambassador says China has tried to set up a “working group” with Australian officials to discuss its bid for the CPTPP. But he says Australia has refused to participate, and doesn’t want to have a detailed discussion. Which is not exactly hugely surprising 9/

Classic Zhongshan District 中山區

In recent days, Chinese vessels, including the research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10, as well as coast guard and maritime militia ships, entered Vietnam's EEZ in the South China Sea. This provocative action appears to be aimed at pressuring Vietnam to halt its new drilling campaign…

Australia got top billing at yesterday’s foreign ministry press conference in Beijing. That’s rare.

Of course, no Australian reporters were in the room to ask a question (the two reporters Beijing has let into the country for 2 days were elsewhere).

So thanks to AFP for asking.

Third time (?) a PLA surveillance drone has gone the whole way around Taiwan? Either way, it’s about normalising it. A year ago this map would have sparked headlines, now crossing the median line and even flying around the whole island increasingly normal.

Long Global Times piece on Trade Minister Don Farrell’s China visit. Mainly reporting on Aus media write ups about the visit, but then delves into the usual attack on the United States, finishing with reliable Party-line loyalist Chen Hong warning Aus not to follow US hegemony: