East Asia (EAD)

Australia is deeply concerned by ballistic missile launches carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), most recently on 27 January 2026, as well as on 4 January 2026, 7 November 2025 and 22 October 2025.

China’s military and coast guard exercises around Taiwan are deeply concerning, destabilising and risk inflaming regional tensions.

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their strong concern about the detention and conviction of Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan.

Acknowledging the success of cooperation established through the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Tourism Cooperation, the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding relating to the China Approved Destination Status (hereafter referred to as ADS) scheme and the 1999 Exchange of Letters that established an Arrangement for the purposes of the ADS scheme

Australia and China held the 8th bilateral High Level Talks on the Pacific on 25 June 2025.

Australia and China held bilateral Senior Officials’ Talks in Canberra on 13 June.

China’s military and coast guard exercises around Taiwan during 1-2 April were deeply concerning. Australia strongly opposes actions that increase the risk of accident, miscalculation and escalation.

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition are gravely concerned about the guilty verdict against the former editors of Stand News and the wider suppression of media freedom in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Contact details for the Australian Embassy, China (People's Republic of)

Australia has a substantial relationship with Taiwan including trade and investment, education, tourism and people-to-people ties.