China

In Beijing, Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei faced a closed trial on charges of illegally supplying state secrets overseas. At the end of proceedings, the court deferred its verdict.

A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has been established to hear China’s claims regarding Australia’s anti-dumping and countervailing measures on stainless steel sinks, railway wheels and wind towers.

Australia opposes the use of economic coercion and discriminatory and restrictive trade practices which undermine the rules-based international trading system and cause economic harm.

China has requested the establishment of a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel to hear China's claims regarding Australia's anti-dumping and countervailing measures on stainless steel sinks, railway wheels and wind towers.

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, noting the outcome of the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong, express their grave concern over the erosion of democratic elements of the Special Administrative Region's electoral system.

Mr Peter Cai has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

The Australian Government is very concerned by incidents last week where China’s coast guard blocked and used water cannons against Philippine vessels seeking to resupply Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has established a dispute settlement panel in the next phase of the dispute settlement process over anti-dumping duties imposed by China on Australian wine.