Bang Xiao

Chinese Australian politicians on why they joined parliament A record number of Chinese Australian politicians now sit in federal parliament. They reflect on challenges they have faced and why diversity in Australia's parliament is important.

A record number of Chinese Australian politicians now sit in federal parliament. They reflect on challenges they have faced and why diversity in Australia's parliament is important.

A climate 'reckoning' just unfolded at the World Court. What happened? The World Court's climate change decision has been hailed a "planetary scale" win for climate advocates pushing for stronger action against carbon pollution.

A climate 'reckoning' just unfolded at the International Court of Justice. What does it mean?
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

The new front in China's soft power strategy: your kids Beijing is launching a charm offensive aimed at the younger generation of Australians — because shaping minds today means shaping alliances tomorrow.

#Analysis The China–Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting revealed plans to invite young Australians on Beijing-sponsored trips — echoing a similar US initiative that offers 50,000 Americans tightly managed visits designed to promote a positive image of China.

Pew's latest survey shows Australians have done a complete switcheroo since 2021 regarding how they view the importance of economic ties with China vis a vis the United States www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

Xi Jinping has Beijing singing to his tune on Anthony Albanese The prime minister's visit to Beijing featured an unusual one-on-one meal with China's most powerful man. It's significant in more ways than one.

There's no doubt that Xi's message now filtering through every level of the Chinese political system is this: a re-elected Australian prime minister is friendly to China, and the Communist Party chief wants the country to do business with him.

China backs Iran at the UN – but stops short of putting skin in the game China has condemned the US strikes on Iran and pushed a ceasefire proposal at the UN. But its actions are more about defending its own interest than shaping the war.

#Analysis China has condemned the US strikes on Iran and pushed a ceasefire proposal at the UN. But its actions are more about defending its own interest than shaping the war.

Xi's purge of top military official reveals cracks in his political apparatus General He Weidong, China's second-ranking military official and a co-vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, has not been seen in public since March.

#Analysis The downfall of a top general is not just a story about one man. It is a window into the inner workings of a regime that has long prized loyalty over stability — and now relies increasingly on purges in place of transparency.

People often tell me, “you’re so brave”. But I’ve never felt that way.

Bravery belongs to those who speak truth knowing it could cost them everything.

I write from a first-world country that gives me freedom.

I won’t accept that compliment — not when so many bear far more.

#justathought

Why a picture of 'one banana and four apples' could be censored in China Hundreds of pages of secret documents leaked to the ABC provide a rare glimpse into how human censors and AI erase references to Beijing's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989.

The document also said that any visual metaphor resembling the sequence of one man facing four tanks — even "one banana and four apples in a line" — could be instantly flagged by an algorithm, especially during the first week of June.

♻️🏭 China State Council approved "Action Plan for Green and Low-Carbon Development of Manufacturing (2025-2027)" at the meeting on 23 May

Trump’s assault on the global dollar The difficulty is that, however unsatisfactory the hegemon might be, the alternatives look worse

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Martin Wolf says the world has three options in considering the future of the hegemonic role of the dollar. One is "continued domination by the dollar". Another is that some other currency, perhaps the euro or even the renminbi, replace it as hegemon.

www.ft.com/content/d965...

Albanese to make his second official visit to China to meet Xi The trip follows a warm letter of congratulations from China's leader following Anthony Albanese's election win.

#BREAKING Anthony Albanese is expected to travel to China for the second time to meet with Xi Jinping and other senior officials. The trip follows a warm letter of congratulations from China's leader following Mr Albanese's election win.

Glad you like this story! Thank you Vincy.

'Chinese Dream' vs 'America First': What's really behind the tariff war While the 90-day tariff truce between China and the US is seen as a relief, at the heart of the stand-off is a clash between Donald Trump's America First vision and Xi Jinping's Chinese Dream.

#Analysis What's unfolding now is not a negotiation between equals, but a contest over who sets the rules — and whose system can withstand the pressure. It's a clash of Xi Jinping's Chinese Dream and Donald Trump's America First.

China congratulated Albanese on election night. That tells us a lot Xi Jinping sees Australia as a strategic partner — a relatively stable player amid the turbulence of Beijing's deteriorating relationship with the United States.

Analysis: Chinese vessels were spotted off Australia’s coast before the election — but instead of panic, they reminded voters that Labor had kept China relations steady. In key multicultural seats, that quiet consistency spoke louder than noise. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

I traded my Chinese passport for the right to cast one free vote I remember my first vote in China — three candidates, three ballot boxes and voting slips. There was just one thing missing and in Australia, it's everywhere.

An incredible article from my colleague @bang.xiao.au about his first Australian voting experience. One to read even (maybe especially?) if you're sick of hearing about the election. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

Thank you, Lauren, for your kind words. They make my day. Happy election week to all of us!

A must-read piece. A reminder of what matters and how easily democracy is taken for granted. How AI's shadow looms ever larger – for worse or better. And a jarring voting station anecdote that captures the messiness of democracy.

From obedience to choice: A Chinese migrant's first real vote in Australia I remember my first vote in China — three candidates, three ballot boxes and voting slips. There was just one thing missing and in Australia, it's everywhere.

"And for new Australians like me, it is the quiet proof that democracy — for all its flaws, frustrations, and noise — is still something worth believing in."

Love this piece from @bang.xiao.au

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

I traded my Chinese passport for the right to cast one free vote I remember my first vote in China — three candidates, three ballot boxes and voting slips. There was just one thing missing and in Australia, it's everywhere.

For new Australians like me, it is the quiet proof that democracy — for all its flaws, frustrations, and noice — is still something worth believing in. Here is my first-time voting experience.

I’m biased, obviously, but this is a really cool new project by my colleagues @merelzoet.bsky.social and @galen.reich.me.uk

If you like online investigations/the work that Bellingcat does then you will find the challenges really addictive (1/2)

China favours Labor over the Coalition in the next election. Here's how we know Beijing has signalled a remarkable shift in approach towards Canberra, one that appears aimed at bolstering Labor's prospects in the looming federal election.

#Analysis China signalled a remarkable shift in approach towards Australia, one that appears aimed at bolstering Labor's prospects in the looming federal election.

Woohoooo!

Hsieh Yueh-peng escaped a scamming 'hell' in Myanmar. Not all are so lucky Scores of Taiwanese are being held against their will in sprawling cyber-fraud compounds in Myanmar, with family members being extorted for ransom their only hope of escape.

Scores of Taiwanese are being held against their will in sprawling cyber-fraud compounds in Myanmar, with family members being extorted for ransom their only hope of escape.

Before helping to create DeepSeek, this engineer was an Australian uni student One of the "pivotal contributors" to creating the Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot DeepSeek studied computer science in Australia for several years.

It appears Dr Pan made a reasonable choice, given the constraints on Chinese talents in the US AI industry. Australia seemingly lacks the capacity to retain researchers like him as well.

Why can't I find any statements or comments from Malarndirri McCarthy, the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, regarding the Invasion Day/Australia Day debate?

America should consider keeping #TikTok as a strategic opportunity to ensure that US technology platforms gain reciprocal access in China. It's not about giving Beijing any special privilege, but about preventing double standards in government censorship across all platforms.

It seems both sides are becoming more desperate. Fundamentally, the issue lies in who commissions and funds these studies, and why taxpayer-funded institutions are forced to rely on commercial and foreign entities to sustain their operations, supposedly for public benefit. It’s ironic.

soon...

@ap.brid.gy well done! ✌️