‘Human hand grenade' Jane Hume sacked from new shadow cabinet
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has finalised her new shadow cabinet, delivering a frontbench reshuffle following internal tensions in the Coalition joint party room.
'Could she blow up the Coalition campaign any harder than she did on the work from home and the Chinese spies,' Mr Milner said.
'It's good to see that finally incompetence gets punished.'
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The Advertiser
33 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Dalai Lama celebrates 90th with Tibetan Buddhists
The Dalai Lama has turned 90 surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala where the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959. Sitting on Sunday before a packed audience that included hundreds of red-robed monks and nuns who braved incessant rain to see him, he said: "When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all." "I live my life in the service of other sentient beings," he added. Dressed in a traditional robe and a flowing yellow wrap, the Dalai Lama was escorted to the temple courtyard by a group of monks, as Tibetan artists beat drums and played bagpipes while senior lamas struck cymbals in his honour. The head of the democratically elected Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, raised the Tibetan flag as the musicians played the Tibetan anthem. Recognised worldwide in his red robes and wide smile, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". But millions of Tibetan Buddhists worship him as living manifestations of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion. The birthday party capped a week of celebrations, during which the Nobel Peace Prize winner said he plans to reincarnate after his death, ending years of speculation that he might be the last person to hold the role. He also said that the next Dalai Lama should be and recognised as per past Buddhist traditions. On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he hoped to live until the age of 130. In the past, the Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born in the "free world" - outside China. Many exiled Tibetans, however, fear China will name its own successor to the Dalai Lama to bolster control over Tibet, a territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. China, which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, has repeatedly said that it alone has the authority to approve the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. It also says it will reject anyone chosen without Beijing's consent. Dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent their wishes to the Tibetan leader. Modi said the Dalai Lama has "been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline" while Rubio said the Buddhist spiritual leader "continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace and compassion". The celebration was also attended by hundreds of followers from around the world including Hollywood movie star Richard Gere. "He is the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet," said Gere, as the crowd broke into a rapturous applause. In a birthday message on his website on Saturday, the Dalai Lama reiterated that he was "just a simple Buddhist monk" and that he will "continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values religious harmony". Celebrations were also held in Kathmandu, Nepal, where hundreds of Tibetan refugees, monks and foreign diplomats marked the day with Buddhist prayers, chanting and dances. The Dalai Lama was thrust onto the Tibetan throne in 1937. Soon after, Chinese troops swept into his homeland in the 1950s and crushed a failed uprising, forcing him to escape with thousands of his followers to India where he established a government in exile. Since then, he has spent more than seven decades in exile and sustained a nation in exile by managing to build a community that's kept the Tibetan culture and identity alive. The Dalai Lama has also become one of the world's most recognisable figures while leading a Tibetan diaspora through their struggle for autonomy and opposition of China's control of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has turned 90 surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala where the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959. Sitting on Sunday before a packed audience that included hundreds of red-robed monks and nuns who braved incessant rain to see him, he said: "When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all." "I live my life in the service of other sentient beings," he added. Dressed in a traditional robe and a flowing yellow wrap, the Dalai Lama was escorted to the temple courtyard by a group of monks, as Tibetan artists beat drums and played bagpipes while senior lamas struck cymbals in his honour. The head of the democratically elected Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, raised the Tibetan flag as the musicians played the Tibetan anthem. Recognised worldwide in his red robes and wide smile, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". But millions of Tibetan Buddhists worship him as living manifestations of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion. The birthday party capped a week of celebrations, during which the Nobel Peace Prize winner said he plans to reincarnate after his death, ending years of speculation that he might be the last person to hold the role. He also said that the next Dalai Lama should be and recognised as per past Buddhist traditions. On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he hoped to live until the age of 130. In the past, the Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born in the "free world" - outside China. Many exiled Tibetans, however, fear China will name its own successor to the Dalai Lama to bolster control over Tibet, a territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. China, which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, has repeatedly said that it alone has the authority to approve the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. It also says it will reject anyone chosen without Beijing's consent. Dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent their wishes to the Tibetan leader. Modi said the Dalai Lama has "been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline" while Rubio said the Buddhist spiritual leader "continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace and compassion". The celebration was also attended by hundreds of followers from around the world including Hollywood movie star Richard Gere. "He is the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet," said Gere, as the crowd broke into a rapturous applause. In a birthday message on his website on Saturday, the Dalai Lama reiterated that he was "just a simple Buddhist monk" and that he will "continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values religious harmony". Celebrations were also held in Kathmandu, Nepal, where hundreds of Tibetan refugees, monks and foreign diplomats marked the day with Buddhist prayers, chanting and dances. The Dalai Lama was thrust onto the Tibetan throne in 1937. Soon after, Chinese troops swept into his homeland in the 1950s and crushed a failed uprising, forcing him to escape with thousands of his followers to India where he established a government in exile. Since then, he has spent more than seven decades in exile and sustained a nation in exile by managing to build a community that's kept the Tibetan culture and identity alive. The Dalai Lama has also become one of the world's most recognisable figures while leading a Tibetan diaspora through their struggle for autonomy and opposition of China's control of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has turned 90 surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala where the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959. Sitting on Sunday before a packed audience that included hundreds of red-robed monks and nuns who braved incessant rain to see him, he said: "When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all." "I live my life in the service of other sentient beings," he added. Dressed in a traditional robe and a flowing yellow wrap, the Dalai Lama was escorted to the temple courtyard by a group of monks, as Tibetan artists beat drums and played bagpipes while senior lamas struck cymbals in his honour. The head of the democratically elected Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, raised the Tibetan flag as the musicians played the Tibetan anthem. Recognised worldwide in his red robes and wide smile, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". But millions of Tibetan Buddhists worship him as living manifestations of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion. The birthday party capped a week of celebrations, during which the Nobel Peace Prize winner said he plans to reincarnate after his death, ending years of speculation that he might be the last person to hold the role. He also said that the next Dalai Lama should be and recognised as per past Buddhist traditions. On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he hoped to live until the age of 130. In the past, the Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born in the "free world" - outside China. Many exiled Tibetans, however, fear China will name its own successor to the Dalai Lama to bolster control over Tibet, a territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. China, which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, has repeatedly said that it alone has the authority to approve the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. It also says it will reject anyone chosen without Beijing's consent. Dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent their wishes to the Tibetan leader. Modi said the Dalai Lama has "been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline" while Rubio said the Buddhist spiritual leader "continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace and compassion". The celebration was also attended by hundreds of followers from around the world including Hollywood movie star Richard Gere. "He is the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet," said Gere, as the crowd broke into a rapturous applause. In a birthday message on his website on Saturday, the Dalai Lama reiterated that he was "just a simple Buddhist monk" and that he will "continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values religious harmony". Celebrations were also held in Kathmandu, Nepal, where hundreds of Tibetan refugees, monks and foreign diplomats marked the day with Buddhist prayers, chanting and dances. The Dalai Lama was thrust onto the Tibetan throne in 1937. Soon after, Chinese troops swept into his homeland in the 1950s and crushed a failed uprising, forcing him to escape with thousands of his followers to India where he established a government in exile. Since then, he has spent more than seven decades in exile and sustained a nation in exile by managing to build a community that's kept the Tibetan culture and identity alive. The Dalai Lama has also become one of the world's most recognisable figures while leading a Tibetan diaspora through their struggle for autonomy and opposition of China's control of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has turned 90 surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala where the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959. Sitting on Sunday before a packed audience that included hundreds of red-robed monks and nuns who braved incessant rain to see him, he said: "When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all." "I live my life in the service of other sentient beings," he added. Dressed in a traditional robe and a flowing yellow wrap, the Dalai Lama was escorted to the temple courtyard by a group of monks, as Tibetan artists beat drums and played bagpipes while senior lamas struck cymbals in his honour. The head of the democratically elected Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, raised the Tibetan flag as the musicians played the Tibetan anthem. Recognised worldwide in his red robes and wide smile, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". But millions of Tibetan Buddhists worship him as living manifestations of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion. The birthday party capped a week of celebrations, during which the Nobel Peace Prize winner said he plans to reincarnate after his death, ending years of speculation that he might be the last person to hold the role. He also said that the next Dalai Lama should be and recognised as per past Buddhist traditions. On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he hoped to live until the age of 130. In the past, the Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born in the "free world" - outside China. Many exiled Tibetans, however, fear China will name its own successor to the Dalai Lama to bolster control over Tibet, a territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. China, which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, has repeatedly said that it alone has the authority to approve the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. It also says it will reject anyone chosen without Beijing's consent. Dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent their wishes to the Tibetan leader. Modi said the Dalai Lama has "been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline" while Rubio said the Buddhist spiritual leader "continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace and compassion". The celebration was also attended by hundreds of followers from around the world including Hollywood movie star Richard Gere. "He is the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet," said Gere, as the crowd broke into a rapturous applause. In a birthday message on his website on Saturday, the Dalai Lama reiterated that he was "just a simple Buddhist monk" and that he will "continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values religious harmony". Celebrations were also held in Kathmandu, Nepal, where hundreds of Tibetan refugees, monks and foreign diplomats marked the day with Buddhist prayers, chanting and dances. The Dalai Lama was thrust onto the Tibetan throne in 1937. Soon after, Chinese troops swept into his homeland in the 1950s and crushed a failed uprising, forcing him to escape with thousands of his followers to India where he established a government in exile. Since then, he has spent more than seven decades in exile and sustained a nation in exile by managing to build a community that's kept the Tibetan culture and identity alive. The Dalai Lama has also become one of the world's most recognisable figures while leading a Tibetan diaspora through their struggle for autonomy and opposition of China's control of Tibet.
The Advertiser
33 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
China wants AI in expanded trade deal with Australia
Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US. With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison. "China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday. "Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress." Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports. The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement. "We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote. The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE. These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use. There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh. "It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP. "It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership. "Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks." Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship. In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network. The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout. Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security. "It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said. "So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge. "China will be interested in partnering with us. "We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system. "There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has." As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism. China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said. Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians. Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US. With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison. "China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday. "Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress." Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports. The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement. "We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote. The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE. These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use. There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh. "It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP. "It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership. "Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks." Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship. In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network. The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout. Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security. "It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said. "So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge. "China will be interested in partnering with us. "We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system. "There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has." As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism. China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said. Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians. Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US. With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison. "China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday. "Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress." Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports. The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement. "We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote. The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE. These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use. There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh. "It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP. "It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership. "Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks." Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship. In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network. The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout. Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security. "It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said. "So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge. "China will be interested in partnering with us. "We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system. "There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has." As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism. China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said. Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians. Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US. With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison. "China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday. "Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress." Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports. The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement. "We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote. The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE. These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use. There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh. "It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP. "It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership. "Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks." Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship. In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network. The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout. Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security. "It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said. "So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge. "China will be interested in partnering with us. "We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system. "There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has." As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism. China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said. Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
China wants AI in expanded trade deal with Australia
Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US. With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison. "China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday. "Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress." Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports. The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement. "We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote. The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE. These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use. There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh. "It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP. "It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership. "Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks." Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship. In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network. The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout. Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security. "It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said. "So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge. "China will be interested in partnering with us. "We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system. "There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has." As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism. China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said. Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians.
