Indo-Pacific

Australia’s New Regional Defence Strategy

On 6th July 2020, Australia’s Defence Minister Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC delivered a public address before the Perth USAsia Centre and The University of Western Australia, concerning Australia’s evolving security challenges across the Indo-Pacific region in a post-COVID-19 environment.

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Indonesia-Australia agreement offers glimmer of hope amid trade wars

The game-changing Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), a wide-ranging economic partnership agreement made with Indonesia, ratified by both governments before COVID-19 hit, and due to enter into force on 5 July.

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Japan’s economic, strategic and political future

Australia’s Ambassador to Japan, Hon. Richard Court AC, was hosted by the Perth USAsia Centre for a private discussion on Australia’s vital relationship with Japan, and to exchange views with stakeholders on developments across the Indo-Pacific during the COVID-19 era.

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India Begins to Unwind: The View from Mumbai in May

Not a month into Greg Wilcock’s tenure as Australia’s new Consul General to Mumbai, did India’s most populous city embark on the nation-wide COVID-19 lockdown. On March 24, following a televised address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s 1.3 billion people shut down non-essential economic and social activity in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus.

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His Excellency Mr Baeksoon Lee: A Reflection on Australia-South Korea Relations

On Thursday 21 May, the Perth USAsia Centre hosted His Excellency Mr Baeksoon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Australia for an online private dialogue, convened under Chatham House Rule.

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Is a Quad-plus the answer post COVID-19? Public webinar with Dr. Rajagopalan

The Perth USAsia Centre was delighted to host Dr. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Distinguished Fellow and Head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative at Observer Research Foundation for our first virtual public webinar.

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Rory Medcalf: Managing Risks of Strategic Competition in the 21st Century Indo-Pacific

On Wednesday 8 April 2020, the Perth USAsia Centre hosted Professor Rory Medcalf, Head of National Security College at the Australian National University for a private virtual roundtable to discuss his new book, Contest for the Indo-Pacific: Why China Won’t Map the Future.

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Critical materials and the Australia-India economic relationship

Australia’s pursuit of a closer economic relationship with India has been driven by India’s growth and Australia’s need to diversify its economy. The critical materials sector, essential in producing 21st century technologies, is a priority area to develop the relationship. Positive strategic and commercial developments in 2019 are likely on hold until the post-COVID-19 recovery begins.

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Australia’s exposure to regional economic disruption: Trade

Most of the economic policy debate in Australia today focuses on the domestic side: how can government stimulate the economy effectively as public health measures close many parts of it down? But the international side of the economic crisis is equally important. Australia is a highly open economy, with deep economic links global partners.

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