Australia should be able to scrutinise China without turning a government, a civilisation and a people into a single threatening enemy.

A joint crackdown on tobacco smuggling shows what Australia and China can achieve through practical cooperation – and why a relationship dominated by security fears comes at a cost.

Matildas face defending champions China in Perth semi-final on Tuesday, with Ante Milicic coaching the opposition after leading Australia at the 2019 World Cup.

Former Australian ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher, has warned that the nation's relationship with Beijing will never reach genuine closeness due to a fundamental mismatch in worldviews and security priorities. The analysis for the Lowy Institute highlights how Australia's focus on regional alliances and democratic values clashes with China's authoritarian approach. Despite efforts to stabilise ties post-2022 election, tensions persist over military encounters, trade sanctions, and Taiwan-related risks. Fletcher notes that while major conflicts are unlikely, disruptions remain possible through policy inconsistencies or geopolitical shifts. The article underscores Australia's strategic balancing act between maintaining economic ties with China and upholding its democratic principles, with cross-party support seen as crucial to managing the complex relationship.

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have reopened their Beijing bureau, with correspondent Lisa Visentin resuming on-the-ground China reporting after a six-year absence.