Downing Street has strongly denied the government was involved in the collapse of a prosecution against two men accused of spying for China. Charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry - who both deny the allegations - were dropped by prosecutors in September, prompting criticism from ministers and MPs.

The leaders of Australia and Papua New Guinea signed a major bilateral defense treaty Monday that China believes targets it unfairly. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape described the agreement as a mutual defense treaty that will enable unprecedented integration