A defiant former Chinese spy has issued a rallying cry to protesters against the communist party's suppression of dissidents, saying their courage will prevail.
Australia is looking to the United States to bolster its trading relationships as China insulates its critical mineral sector and an agreement with Europe is dead in the water.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared his high-level talks with Xi Jinping "very successful" as his visit was hailed by the Chinese president as ushering a new era in relations.
The disappearance of China's defence minister, the latest in a string of upheavals in the country's top ranks, is stoking uncertainty about President Xi Jinping's rule as an internal security clampdown trumps international engagement.
Liberal frontbencher James Paterson says the risk of a Chinese spy working inside the Australian parliament is "very high" and has backed basic vetting.
Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has told Asia's top security summit that conflict with the United States would be an "unbearable disaster" but that his country sought dialogue over confrontation.
Anthony Albanese has promised Australia will support Vietnam to transition to clean energy during a diplomatic push, as China's role in Asia looms over the relationship.
Australia has joined Five Eyes partners in outing China as being behind a cluster of cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure in the United States.
Australia has long been seeing red over punitive trade restrictions imposed by China, but there are positive signs Beijing will give the green light for lucrative imports to begin again.
Beijing says its military build-up is self defence and is urging Australia to abandon an anti-China narrative after Canberra revealed a major defence shake-up.
A majority of Chinese Australians say the nation is a good place to live, as race-based attacks continue to decline, a survey by the Lowy Institute has found.
The world's most influential military alliance has invited Australia to attend an upcoming summit, with China and Russia expected to dominate discussions.
