Gold Medal Gamble

China's long march from Mao to the Olympic flame is nearly complete. Let the politics begin. Mary-Anne Toy reports.

Hitting The 'non-existent' Limits

To those of a greenish disposition, all the news we get of the rapid economic growth occurring in China, and now India, raises feelings of ambivalence. On one hand, how could you be anything but pleased that such a large proportion of the world's poor are becoming less so?

Revisiting An Age-old Anxiety

A shift in power from developed to developing countries is an opportunity for Australia to work with China to tackle shared environmental challenges, writes Marilyn Lake.

Changing Clothes In China: Fashion, History, Nation

Changing Clothes in China: Fashion, History, Nation Antonia Finnane UNSW Press, $59.95

Beijing Scholars Call For Political Reform

THE Chinese Communist Party's leading think tank has called for systematic political liberalisation, including greater media and religious freedom in the next 12 years, as China seeks to become a "modern civil society" by 2020.

Bracing For The New China Flu

Australian shoppers are soon to feel the bite of rising prices in China - and the timing couldn't be worse, reports Peter Weekes.

Rupert's Adventures In China

Rupert's Adventures in China Bruce Dover Penguin, $32.95

China Condemned, But Australian Plans Unaltered

AUSTRALIA will compete in the Beijing Olympics regardless of any push for international condemnation of China in relation to its strong links to Sudan, the Federal Government and the Australian Olympic Committee stressed yesterday.

China Is A Lesson In Taking Control

The economic benefits of a strong government are a lesson for the West, says James Rose.

Spielberg Directs Condemnation To China But Australian Plans Unaltered

AUSTRALIA will compete in the Beijing Olympics regardless of any push for international condemnation of China in relation to its strong links to Sudan, stressed the Federal Government and the Australian Olympic Committee yesterday.

Beijing Defiant As Spielberg Walks Out

BEIJING was defiant yesterday in the face of its most embarrassing Olympic crisis so far, sparked by the US director Steven Spielberg's announcement that he is quitting as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympic Games because of China's continued support for its oil-rich trading partner Sudan.

Spielberg Quits As Olympics Adviser

BEIJING was defiant yesterday in the face of its most embarrassing Olympic crisis, sparked by US film director Steven Spielberg quitting as the Games' artistic adviser because of China's support of its oil-rich trading partner Sudan.

Australia Faces A Tough Balancing Act

COULD it rank, in historic terms, as a Nixon goes to China moment? That kind of billing is a touch unfair, but there is little doubt - one day soon - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will make an official visit to Beijing. And as the first Western political leader to speak fluent Mandarin, one with a deep appreciation of Chinese history, you can expect the world's most populous country, with by far the fastest-growing economy, to turn on a big reception.

Asian Urbanisation To Buoy Commodities Market: Kloppers

A US recession is unlikely to have much impact on the commodities boom that has fuelled Australia's strong growth, with BHP boss Marius Kloppers predicting emerging countries such as China and India will fill any breach left by the world's biggest economy.

Japan Jittery Over Closer Ties Between Australia And China

JAPAN is becoming increasingly concerned about the closeness of Australia's relationship with China - a concern heightened by the election of Mandarin-speaking Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the strength of anti-Japanese feeling over whaling.

Rio Investment Independent: China

CHINA'S Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, has distanced his Government from Chinalco's investment in Rio Tinto, saying the dawn raid is an independent decision by the Chinese-owned company and Alcoa.

Fortescue Surges On Report Chinese May Buy $2.9b Stake

AUSTRALIA'S iron ore resources are luring China Investment Corporation and China Shenhua Energy to consider buying a 15.85 per cent stake in Fortescue Metals, a report in the Hong Kong South China Morning Post said.

Warm Relations To Hot Seat

AUSTRALIA has ridden the China express for a decade now and, with the arrival of a Mandarin-speaking Prime Minister, the warm relationship with Beijing has become warmer. Now it is possible the relationship could get too warm for comfort, thanks to the actions of the Big Australian, BHP Billiton, and its desire to become the Enormous Australian.

Bhp Rethinks Offer After Raid On Rio

THE potential for China's state-owned Chinalco to emerge as the most influential shareholder in BHP Billiton is looming large in BHP's frantic rethink on the future of its proposed $150 billion scrip offer for Rio Tinto - the subject of Friday's dramatic $16 billion share raid in London by the Chinese.

Decade Of The Dragon

China will cushion us from the US recession, but will we then need cushioning from China?

China Puts Rio Bid In Doubt

BHP Billiton's plan to create a $380 billion mining colossus through the takeover of a reluctant Rio Tinto has been thrown into disarray following the dramatic 11th-hour intervention by China's Aluminium Corp of China and US aluminium giant Alcoa. The aluminium pair last night revealed in the London market that they had teamed up to buy a 12% stake in Rio.