Nuclear submarines will not deter China from conflict with Taiwan, but Australia has an alternative arsenal | Jonathan Pearlman

As a committed supporter of international institutions and the world's 13th largest economy, Australia has real clout

For an emerging superpower prone to petulant outbursts and coercive retaliation, China's initial response to the recent announcement of the new three-way security pact between Australia, the United States and Britain seemed surprisingly tepid.

Hours after the trio unveiled their forever partnership", known as Aukus, China formally requested that it be allowed to join an 11-member Asia-Pacific trade grouping, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).