Bill Birtles
ABC.net.au
Australia
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Past articles by Bill:
After a year of deepening ties with Vladimir Putin and amplifying Russian propaganda, Xi Jinping now wants to play peacemaker
China's pitch to play honest broker in the Ukraine conflict is likely to face scepticism from many Western leaders, given Xi Jinping's de facto support for Vladimir Putin over the past year, writes Bill Birtles. → Read More
After China's loudest protests in decades, Xi Jinping will be treading extremely carefully as the nation mourns Jiang Zemin
The death of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, who has been remembered for his affable public persona, is posing a fresh challenge to President Xi Jinping's efforts to quell anger over his COVID-zero drive. → Read More
China might be phasing out of its COVID-zero era, but experts warn 'there is no playbook or exit strategy'
With COVID-19 cases and impatience with restrictions both at an all-time high, China is grappling with how to move on from an elimination strategy. → Read More
Xi Jinping's iron grip over China and his party has grown over the past decade changing the face of the country forever
Two moments over two days help crystallise just how much of an iron grip Xi Jinping has managed to secure over both the Party and China as a whole, writes Bill Birtles. → Read More
Why China's 'COVID zero' nightmare is inextricably linked to Xi's obsession with his own legacy
As Xi Jinping stares down the barrel of a third term as leader, many Chinese people are hoping for a departure from the tough COVID-zero policy that has up-ended the country. But that doesn't seem likely. → Read More
Ahead of an historic third term, Xi Jinping wants the world to know he's got Vladimir Putin's back
Xi Jinping will use his first trip outside China in more than two and a half years to publicly show support for Vladimir Putin, writes Bill Birtles. → Read More
As Xi Jinping ordered missiles to be fired over Taiwan, some residents on these tiny Kinmen islands feared a return to the past
The remnants of the last war with China are everywhere on the main island of Kinmen and the smaller "Little Kinmen". And after Beijing sent a military drone over its waters this month, the threat of another looms large. → Read More
Beijing forms organisation in bid to give Chinese steel producers more leverage over Australian iron ore prices
China's government has established a new minerals giant that will purchase iron ore from abroad on behalf of Chinese steel producers — a move seen as an attempt to gain long-term leverage in price negotiations with Australian exporters. → Read More
China increasingly expected to drop ban on Australian coal as nation's economic woes deepen
Expectations that China's leader Xi Jinping will reverse his unofficial ban on Australian coal imports are growing as the country's economic problems continue to mount. → Read More
China's Foreign Minister blames Morrison government for poor relations, tells Penny Wong to 'treat us as a partner, not a threat'
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong the Albanese government must form a "correct understanding" of China as a partner, not a threat, according to a Chinese government summary of their first meeting in Bali. → Read More
Xi Jinping leaves mainland China for the first time in years as Hong Kong marks the halfway point for 'One Country, Two Systems'
As Xi Jinping embarks on his first trip outside of mainland China since the pandemic began, observers suspect the anniversary visit could be a chance to further strengthen Beijing's hold on Hong Kong. → Read More
Xi Jinping announces plans to allow Chinese military to undertake 'special military operations' abroad
According to China's government, Xi Jinping has signed off on a set of new trial outlines that allow for Chinese "armed forces operations" that aren't war, and set a legal basis for the PLA to "safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and development interests". → Read More
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had a warm welcome message for Anthony Albanese. Is this the start of a new friendship with China?
Messages of congratulations from foreign leaders are usually just a standard inclusion in the election win welcome pack, but the warm reception of Anthony Albanese by China's Li Keqiang signals a small but significant shift in our frostiest friendship, writes Bill Birtles. → Read More
Australians stuck in Shanghai's COVID lockdown beg consular officials to help them flee
Some Australians caught up in Shanghai's extreme five-week lockdown say the Australian government has done little to help its citizens in distress, and they're pleading with Canberra to arrange charter flights to get them home. → Read More
China's security pact with Solomon Islands signals a new era in the South Pacific for Australia and its allies
The contest for power and influence between two giants is still only warming up, and none of Australia's South Pacific neighbours can avoid being swept up in it, writes Bill Birtles. → Read More
Shanghai's messy COVID-19 lockdown forcing foreign workers to rethink life in China's financial hub
Shanghai authorities may be loosening one of the world's strictest lockdowns, but after weeks of uncertainty and food shortages, many foreign workers are considering leaving. → Read More
Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei faces closed court trial in Beijing after 19 months of detention in China
More than a year after she vanished, Cheng Lei has finally had her day in court in Beijing. But with a conviction rate of 99 per cent in China, the focus is on what sentence is given to the Australian who could face life behind bars. → Read More
Australian Border Force stands firm on Chinese claims of unfair visa cancellations for students at airports
China's government made "solemn representations" to the Australian government over what it says was a recent case of a Chinese student arriving in Sydney only to be interrogated, searched and ultimately have their visa cancelled. → Read More
Australian journalist Cheng Lei to be tried in Beijing on state secrets charges next week
An Australian television journalist detained in China for more than 19 months will be put on trial, likely in a closed court, on state secrets charges that could see her face anything from a short sentence to life behind bars. → Read More
Taiwan is watching Russia's war in Ukraine warily, with fears China's Xi Jinping could learn from Vladimir Putin's strategy
Russia's war in Ukraine has put the spotlight on the tense relationship between China and Taiwan, and while leaders and some experts are playing down the comparisons, the invasion is stoking an undercurrent of fear among the people of Taiwan. → Read More