When three Chinese warships sailed within 150 nautical miles of Sydney, last week, it was enough to make global headlines. Indeed, our defence force chief admitted just yesterday hat the Australian military didn’t know that these ships were conducting a live-firing exercise, while off the coast of Sydney, until 40 minutes after it began.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on what it means that China’s stepping up its aggression towards us, at the same as Donald Trump is treating his allies like a mob boss running a protection racket.