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James Laurenceson

@j-laurenceson.bsky.social
35 followers 9 following 10 posts

Director, UTS Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI)

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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Speaking with James Macpherson on News24, @j-laurenceson.bsky.social discusses the national security implications of Chinese-made connected vehicles and the US-PRC AI competition ahead of the Trump-Xi summit. 🔗Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOkH...
youtube.com
ASIO warns Chinese electric vehicles may be spying on us
YouTube video by News24
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 29/09/2026
"Who imagines that when Donald Trump went into that meeting with Xi, he gave Australia a second thought? "Actually...that would be true for any US president." @j-laurenceson.bsky.social & @emmashortis.bsky.social discuss the Trump-Xi meeting & what it means for Australia. 🎧 theaus.in/4hsuVTP
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
In @timeshighered.bsky.social, @j-laurenceson.bsky.social and Wanning Sun assess 🇦🇺's approach to research collaboration with 🇨🇳. Drawing on interviews with Chinese-background STEM researchers in Australia, they highlight the potential costs of overcorrection 🔗: bit.ly/4xAIcja
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The risk of collaboration with China is smaller than the cost of curbing it
National security is not strengthened by making Australia smaller and less attractive to scientific talent, say James Laurenceson and Wanning Sun.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Last week, @j-laurenceson.bsky.social and UTS:ACRI Adjunct/Prof Mark Beeson participated in the APEC Economies China Studies Scholars Forum in Shenzhen, sharing insights on APEC and the 🇦🇺🇨🇳 experience of sustaining economic interdependence amidst geopolitical tension.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
@j-laurenceson.bsky.social joined @nzherald.bsky.social to discuss how Australia and New Zealand are navigating an increasingly complex economic environment shaped by 🇺🇸 🇨🇳 tensions. Watch▶️: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9DI...
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Doing business with China in an era of global rivalry | Herald NOW Business
YouTube video by nzherald.co.nz
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Landbridge’s move to arbitration over the Port of Darwin “is not a bad one” for Australia-PRC relations as it "gives both sides a structured potential off-ramp to manage the dispute," @j-laurenceson.bsky.social tells @scmpnews.bsky.social 🗞️: bit.ly/4tlJStn
scmp.com
China’s fight for Darwin Port could help fragile Sino-Australian relations
Landbridge Group’s legal claim over the port could take several years to resolve, analysts said, providing more time for dialogue.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
@j-laurenceson.bsky.social spoke at Young Australians in International Affairs (YAIA) National Conference 2026’s panel discussion on multilateralism, trade and economic security in Melbourne last month, sharing perspectives on 🇦🇺🇨🇳 economic ties and broader regional trade dynamics.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
From Director @j-laurenceson.bsky.social:
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
@j-laurenceson.bsky.social joined ABC News to provide analysis on Trump-Xi summit, including its outcomes and the broader implications for Australia.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Vehicle donations to Pacific Island nations "are hardly unique to China," @j-laurenceson.bsky.social tells drive.com.au, noting that while potential security concerns cannot be ruled out, similar considerations may apply to contributions from other countries, incl Australia. bit.ly/4vGwrGT
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Australia and China keep gifting cars to other countries – here's why
As Beijing and Canberra race for influence in the Pacific, a new wave of car diplomacy is hitting the shores of some countries.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
UTS:ACRI was pleased to host the Asia-Australia Youth Association UTS Chapter for a session with students and young professionals on key issues shaping Australia-PRC relations. Insights from @j-laurenceson.bsky.social and Wanning Sun spanned economics, trade, communities & media.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Drawing on their research expertise, @j-laurenceson.bsky.social and Marina Zhang have made submissions to #ChAFTA conducted by DFAT. bit.ly/4mQyILK The submissions reflect the independent research, analysis and conclusions of individual authors and do not represent the views of UTS:ACRI.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 27/03/2026
Trump was due to meet Xi Jinping in coming days, but the US president pulled out of the visit. "He didn't want to look like an idiot...getting a tour of the Forbidden City while he's meant to be overseeing a war." - @j-laurenceson.bsky.social "It's not a power move." 🎧 theaus.in/4uSqVAE
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Apply now for the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship 2026-27! Australian early career researchers: explore policy-relevant issues for Australia and conduct research in the PRC w/ mentorship by @j-laurenceson.bsky.social & Linda Jakobson. Apply by May 15 2026, 5pm AEDT. More info: bit.ly/3O54yHH
China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship 2026-27
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
@j-laurenceson.bsky.social speaks with ABC News on the PRC's response to the recent US strike in Iran, outlining Beijing’s approach and what it may indicate for regional security. Watch ⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=any9...
youtube.com
China happy for the US to be ‘distracted’ in Middle East war, expert says | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 23/03/2026
As US sanctions create a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, Trump's "little excursion" in Iran drags on. @emmashortis.bsky.social examines the US-Israel war on Iran, before @j-laurenceson.bsky.social joins to discuss the impact of the conflict on China & the delayed Trump-Xi summit. 🎧 theaus.in/4uSqVAE
Photo of Donald Trump sitting at a desk
NEW EPISODE | Trump nixes Xi summit as Iran war escalates
Listen to After America now via the link or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Beijing's announcement on NYE 2025 of new trade restrictions on beef effective January 1 2026 are a reminder of ongoing trade risk, but they do not point to a fundamental deterioration in Australia-PRC economic ties, writes @j-laurenceson.bsky.social in @aunz.theconversation.com bit.ly/3YvCHls
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
What kind of power could Beijing realistically project by controlling the South China Sea? UTS:ACRI Adjunct Fellow @yuan-frank.bsky.social discusses in South China Sea NewsWire bit.ly/4rrUNRC
An excerpt from a commentary piece by Frank Yuan, Adjunct Fellow, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI) in South China Sea NewsWire (January 31 2026):

'China could use the naturally semi-enclosed Bohai Sea as a submarine bastion, though the South China Sea, with its more complex terrain and noisier acoustic environment, may be better suited for this purpose. However, the South China Sea is farther away from the American mainland, potentially too far even for China's most advanced submarine-launched missiles...'
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Last year, iron ore prices ⬇️ by 8.4% but new ABS data show Australia's goods trade with mainland China ⬆️ by $10.6 billion. How? China is Australia's most important market for other exports: minerals/fuels/agriculture/seafood/forestry. And imports too! Now, add around $20 billion in services trade!
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Professor James Laurenceson (@j-laurenceson.bsky.social) on trade:
Professor James Laurenceson, UTS:ACRI Director, on trade:

In 2025, the doomsayers about the PRC’s economy and Australia-PRC trade relations got it wrong once again.  

In the first 11 months of the year, Australian goods exports to the PRC were down two percent compared with a year earlier. But that’s despite a nearly 10 percent fall in the global price of iron ore. 

Iron ore volumes were up by two percent. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries exports remain at record levels, while education services eclipsed their previous peak.  Short-term visitor arrivals have been slower to recover after the pandemic but nonetheless returned to one million annually.  

Goods imports were up 11 percent with the headline being that the PRC is now Australia’s second largest source of passenger vehicles, following only Japan. 

Iron ore volumes might trend downwards as the PRC produces less steel, but with the overall growth forecast remaining at between four to five percent and economic complementarities remaining intact, there’s no obvious reason to expect any component of trade to take a serious dive in the coming year.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
PERSPECTIVES | ChAFTA at 10: A decade in review December 20 marks the 10th anniversary of ChAFTA entering into force. @j-laurenceson.bsky.social revisits the public debate around the claimed pros and cons of ChAFTA in 2015 and assesses the outcomes in the decade that has followed bit.ly/3Y3FToe
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
"We just can’t go all in on AUKUS, all in on the United States, all in on containing China and imagine that our trade with China, which is paying for our submarines, can actually be sustained. It can’t," @j-laurenceson.bsky.social tells @nbcnews.com bit.ly/4iOIwSy
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After Canada, Trump could drag down conservatives in another election in Australia
The Opposition Coalition was poised to return to power before Trump’s inauguration, but has lost support among voters worried about how their government will handle him.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
The proposal that US attempts to counter the PRC can only be achieved through likeminded countries pooling tech, economic and military capabilities was explored by @j-laurenceson.bsky.social and Naoise McDonagh in a recent AU Centre for International Trade & Investment webinar Watch: bit.ly/3EKHVnc
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Exploring the Campbell/Doshi vision for 'pooled' capabilities
ACITI was pleased to host a discussion on the Foreign Affairs article by Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi proposing that 'likeminded' countries pool their technological, economic and military capabilities to counter China. ACITI was joined by Professor James Laurencenson and Dr Naoise McDonagh in exploring the realities the article grapples with as well as problems with what Campbell and Doshi propose.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
"Australian universities 'underweighted' appreciation of security threats has given way to a simplistic 'culture of caution'... a forthcoming book chapter argues" @timeshighered.bsky.social reports on a soon-to-be-published paper by @j-laurenceson.bsky.social bit.ly/3RqNt94
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Australia ‘oversimplifies’ China research collaboration risks
National security U-turn ‘cutting Australia off from knowledge creation frontier’ just as US turns its back on collaboration
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
For our Perth-based followers: @j-laurenceson.bsky.social will join former Ambassador Geoff Raby and Gordon Flake @perthusasia.bsky.social to discuss 'What does great power competition in today’s world mean for Australia?'. May 7, 12-2.30pm AWST, Ritz Carlton, Perth Tickets: bit.ly/44KNCMd
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ACBC WA Hosts: Great Game On
What does Great Power competition in today’s world mean for Australia?
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
The implications of the ongoing trade war for the PRC's economy, global supply chains and the broader region are explored by @j-laurenceson.bsky.social, Dan Wang @eurasiagroup.net and Bert Hofman, former World Bank Country Director, China in a Griffith Asia Institute webinar. Watch: bit.ly/42T8dLO
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Trump's tariffs and China's trade: What's next?
As US–China trade tensions escalate with tariffs exceeding 100%, this timely webinar explores the implications of ongoing trade wars for China’s economy, global supply chains, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by the Griffith Asia Institute, the discussion brings together a panel of renowned experts to unpack China’s strategic responses, potential trade spillovers into neighbouring countries, and what this all means for regional partners like Australia. Speakers include: Dan Wang – China Director, Eurasia Group Bert Hofman – Former Director, East Asia Institute (NUS) & former World Bank Country Director, China James Laurenceson – Director, Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS) Moderator: Professor Christoph Nedopil Wang, Director, Griffith Asia Institute
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
ABC Vote Compass data on voters' views on Australia-PRC relations is analysed by @j-laurenceson.bsky.social and discussed in the context of 2024 UTS:ACRI/BIDA Poll findings by @elenacollinson.bsky.social and Paul Burke - via @abcnewsnetau.bsky.social bit.ly/3YqC7Wu
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Following reports that countries wanting US tariff relief will be pressured to curb their trade with the PRC, @j-laurenceson.bsky.social examines the question 'Should Australia line up with the US and form an anti-China economic bloc?' in @canberratimes.bsky.social bit.ly/4lHehzN
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If China had done this, there would have been uniform outrage
Australia's political leaders must do better.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Recordings are now available for 'ChAFTA: Assessing outcomes a decade on', featuring Trade Minister Don Farrell, former Trade Ministers Andrew Robb and Craig Emerson, columnist Glenda Korporaal, PRC Min-Counsellor Gao Feng, and @j-laurenceson.bsky.social Video: bit.ly/42k1bzy Audio: bit.ly/4crRDXW
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Both sides of Australian politics have committed to spiking Chinese ownership of the lease to operate Darwin Port. Media reports frequently cite "defence experts" who claim its necessary to protect national security. But is it true? 👇 theconversation.com/alarmist-non...
theconversation.com
‘Alarmist nonsense’: Labor and Coalition dismissed security risks over the Port of Darwin for years. What’s changed?
Successive governments have reviewed the deal to lease the port to a Chinese company and found no cause for concern. Both major parties have made a sudden about-face.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
ANALYSIS | ChAFTA: An Australian assessment of core outcomes a decade on With ChAFTA now a decade in operation, @j-laurenceson.bsky.social provides an Australian assessment of core outcomes against a backdrop of claims by advocates and critics of the deal bit.ly/3RCdbHE
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
On suggestions that US tariffs may spur on tech and AI development in the PRC, "[T]his 'spurring' is already locked in," @j-laurenceson.bsky.social tells @capitalbrief.com bit.ly/3RD3CrO
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How Trump's tariffs could backfire and embolden China
Trump’s sweeping new tariffs aim to protect US industry. But experts warn they could accelerate China’s economic rise and reshape global trade dynamics.
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
On US tariffs, pleased to offer some comments from an Australian perspective to James Curran at AFR. The moves "hasten the US path towards economic irrelevance in Australia’s region". And surely no-one buys "friend-shoring" anymore? afr.com/policy/forei...
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
The US turn against Australia and the Asia-Pacific is about far more than tariffs. Now threatening the academic freedom of American and Australian researchers, the Q must be asked whether agreements with US institutions will now require notifying Canberra. timeshighereducation.com/news/confuci...
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
'Ambiguous alignment: Australia navigating US-China rivalry in the post-AUKUS era' @j-laurenceson.bsky.social makes the case that post-AUKUS, Australia has not comprehensively abandoned its hedging strategy in China International Strategy Review. Open access: bit.ly/44esjSW
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Ambiguous alignment: Australia navigating US–China rivalry in the post-AUKUS era - China International Strategy Review
As Great Power rivalry in the Asia–Pacific has intensified, Australia has widely come to be seen as a prototypical Balancer. By lending its modest weight in support of its long-time security ally, the...
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON | China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship 2025-2026 The Fellowship is an opportunity for an Australian early-career researcher in the field of China Studies, examining issues of policy relevance for Australia. Apply now: bit.ly/3DKfyVJ
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
"While AU has shifted towards a more realist approach in military matters...its economic strategy continues to reflect a strong attachment to liberalism...This is evident in AU’s handling of past CN economic coercion" - @j-laurenceson.bsky.social in @eastasiaforum.bsky.social bit.ly/3RnmHhF
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Australia balances between realism and liberalism
Australia’s foreign policy is navigating the balance between realist security partnerships and a steadfast commitment to liberal economic principles.
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Australia has widely come to be seen as a prototypical IR Balancer against China, having abandoned its hedging strategy around 2017. I don't think that's right. Pleased to share my latest peer-reviewed article in China International Strategy Review. 👇 rdcu.be/efoX7
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Ambiguous alignment: Australia navigating US–China rivalry in the post-AUKUS era
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
There’s a common line that Australia always just follows the US. I hear this particularly often in China. In fact, Australia’s foreign policy is much more sophisticated than that. New in East Asia Forum👇 eastasiaforum.org/2025/03/27/a...
eastasiaforum.org
Australia balances between realism and liberalism
Australia’s foreign policy is navigating the balance between realist security partnerships and a steadfast commitment to liberal economic principles.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Elena Collinson @elenacollinson.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
As we near 10 yrs since ChAFTA's signing, join @acri-uts.bsky.social & the ACBC to hear from Trade Minister Don Farrell and former trade ministers Robb & Emerson, w/ mod Glenda Korporaal. @j-laurenceson.bsky.social will also present the findings of a forthcoming analysis of the deal bit.ly/4j3ynSD
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
"The government and the opposition are largely mute on the threat of such blatant “foreign interference” in Australian university research efforts despite their regular admonitions against any such behaviour from China". Even more so the broader USA 啦啦隊... www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Friendly fire hits Australian universities
Local universities are caught up in Donald Trump’s culture wars. But the threat is partly home-grown and self-inflicted.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
On Australian industries benefiting from the PRC's trade hits on the US and Canada, "This has got nothing to do with morals or geopolitical sympathies. It’s just business," @j-laurenceson.bsky.social tells the Australian bit.ly/4bO0bYE
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Apply now for the China Matters-UTS:ACRI Fellowship 2025-2026 The Fellowship is an opportunity for an Australian early-career researcher in the field of China Studies, examining issues of policy relevance for Australia. More information: bit.ly/3QPqjIY
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Neither Canberra nor Australian business would try to spin the Trump administration's trade policy as a positive for Australia overall. That said, there will be some opportunities too, as Will Glasgow points out in The OZ. Happy to offer some comments. www.theaustralian.com.au/world/austra...
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
When China hit Australia with trade punishment in 2020, Canberra didn’t respond to stupid with stupid. But unsurprisingly, Australian public opinion towards China slumped. The same dynamic will now play out with the US. Best wishes to 🇺🇸 diplomats managing the self-inflicted fall out.
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James Laurenceson @j-laurenceson.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
With the US putting tariffs on Australian steel&aluminium because, apparently, they are a national security threat, it's not all bad news. With CN putting tariffs on US exports of beef & more, some AU exporters are well positioned to advance the national interest! 加油! www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/b...
nytimes.com
China’s Tariffs on U.S. Agricultural Products Take Effect
The action came in response to the higher levies on Chinese imports that President Trump announced last week.
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Reposted by James Laurenceson
Australia-China Relations Institute, UTS @acri-uts.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
WEBINAR | Are the best days of the Australia-China business and trade relationship over? Lauren Gilbert, Austrade Guangzhou; Vaughn Barber, AustCham China; and Murray Davis, Meat & Livestock Australia will provide an on-the-ground perspective. Mar 10, 12.00pm AEDT, online. Register: bit.ly/4hXGsbp
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