Australia foreign policy

An elevation of relations is likely next year, when the two nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. But will it be matched by substantive developments?

Lee Hsien Loong's state visit was a reminder that Singapore has long been, and is likely to remain, Canberra's most "like-minded" partner in Southeast Asia.

Australia and Mongolia established ties in 1972, but their relationship began to pick up steam much more recently.

Bilateral relations have advanced considerably over the past decade, but Canberra can do a lot more to engage economically with Hanoi.

We are at the end of an era in which the "relationship with Beijing came to be the symbol of a new era in Australia’s outlook on the world."

Regardless of the government, Australia’s commitment to the Quad – and concerns about China – are here to stay.

With the election of a new Australian government, the chance to elevate ties between Hanoi and Canberra to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership is within reach.

The latest Lowy Institute public opinion survey found that the public feels less safe in 2022, due to China's growing power and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Penny Wong's trip is her second to Southeast Asia in the month since she took up the foreign affairs portfolio.

It is worth assessing if and how two of the Indo-Pacific’s most prominent middle powers might once again pursue creative and ambitious statecraft.

The challenges facing Australia are formidable. To navigate them we must accept our place at the heart of a shared region.