Major Pacific countries told by the US to prepare for conflict as regional tensions continue to rise over threat to Taiwan

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on his country and Australia to work closer together in the face of "destabilising factors" and growing "protectionist measures".The comments at a roundtable with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and leading business figures from Australia and China came amid the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff wars and trade declarations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese traveled to China determined to focus on trade and jobs, but navigating the tensions between the US and China, particularly over security flashpoints like Taiwan,