Chinese police stopped foreign reporters, including one from AFP, covering #MeToo supporters gathering outside a Beijing court on Wednesday as a sexual harassment case against a powerful Chinese media figure began.

How did we go from calls to research the origins of Covid-19 to China's call to boycott Australian wine? Relations between Beijing and Canberra started to seriously go south back in May when the Australians demanded an independent probe into Coronavirus. Now, on the week of first anniversary of the first documented case in Wuhan comes an official protest from prime minister Scott Morrison over the image of an Australian soldier holding a bloody dagger up to the throat of an Afghan child, tweeted from the official account of a top foreign ministry spokesperson.

Foreign ministers from the English-speaking intelligence alliance accuse Beijing of breaching international law with its crackdown on pro-democracy lawmakers and protesters.

President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to boost the island's defense capabilities after Beijing stepped up military exercises near Taiwan this year. The new fleet of eight submarines is expected to be ready by 2025.

Beijing accuses London of having a "colonial mindset" and "double standards" after Britain's government said it is considering reviewing a deal allowing its judges to sit on Hong Kong's highest court over concerns China is trampling on the semi-autonomous city's freedoms.

Beijing finally broke its silence on the US election, more than one week after millions of Americans cast their ballots. Incumbent President Donald Trump has yet to concede defeat.

Beijing hits back against accusations that China violated legally binding international commitments by ousting pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong's legislature. China warn countries that "dare to damage China's sovereignty, security and development interests," after the US, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand said China broke promises to preserve Hong Kong autonomy.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday.⁣⁣⁣⁣

The closure of the US consulate in Chengdu is the latest development that spotlights the rising tensions between Beijing and Washington. Here's an overview of all the points of contention.

Unfazed by attacks in the western Balochistan province, Islamabad has extended a $350 million (€306 million) worth copper-gold mine contract to a Chinese company. Separatists claim Beijing is exploiting their resources.

Indians react to the banning of popular Chinese app TikTok as New Delhi's ties with Beijing deteriorate sharply following a deadly border clash.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Thursday⁣