Australia gives six China-linked Northern Minerals shareholders two weeks to sell
Six China-linked shareholders in Australian rare-earths miner Northern Minerals have been given just two weeks to unwind their positions, a rare, time-boxed intervention that underscores Canberra’s growing sensitivity to strategic minerals and corporate control. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he issued the divestment orders on Monday, May 18, 2026, after concerns that Chinese investors had tried to take control of the company, directing six companies to sell their stakes within a fortnight. [2]
Bloomberg Markets reported the order targets the company’s biggest shareholders and marks the second such intervention in two years, reflecting national security concerns around China-linked investment in a sector central to advanced manufacturing and defense supply chains. Five of the shareholders are registered in China or Hong Kong, while one is registered in the British Virgin Islands, according to the same account. [3]
Beijing pushed back quickly. Yahoo Finance reported that China’s Foreign Ministry, speaking at a news briefing, urged Australia to “earnestly respect” Chinese investors’ rights and to maintain a fair business climate for foreign investment. [1]
The move lands amid a wider hardening across the region as China-related tensions ripple through security and economic policy. On May 9, 2026, the United States, Japan and the Philippines staged Balikatan 2026 drills framed by rising friction, following earlier episodes such as Philippine coast guard footage released on Aug. 12, 2025 showing collisions involving Chinese ships in disputed waters. [3]
Timeline· Developing
Balikatan 2026 features the US, Japan, and Philippines conducting record military drills amid rising China tensions, including US Marines practicing seizing remote islands in the Philippines, Philippine President Marcos Jr. agreeing to US base expansion, Philippine coast guard releasing footage of Chinese ship collisions in disputed waters, Japan's defense chief visiting to deepen security ties and witness exercises, Japan and the Philippines fast-tracking navy destroyer transfers to bolster maritime security, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces firing anti-ship missiles for the first time in Philippine military drills, and Japan and the Philippines beginning talks on an intelligence-sharing pact to further strengthen their strategic partnership.
Chinese ships collide with Philippine vessel
The Philippine coast guard released video showing Chinese ships collided with a vessel while chasing a Philippine boat in disputed waters, underscoring rising maritime tensions that framed the upcoming exercises.
Marcos agrees to US military base expansion
Philippine President Marcos Jr. agreed to expand US military access to bases in the Philippines, enabling a larger and more sustained US presence that would support joint operations and exercises.
US opens record drills with Philippines
The United States launched record-scale military exercises with the Philippines, marking a significant intensification of bilateral training amid a tense regional security environment.
Japan joins counter-landing drill with allies
Japan participated in a counter-landing exercise alongside US and Philippine forces, expanding the drills into a trilateral operation and increasing multinational interoperability.
- US and Japan demonstrate advanced capabilities during drills
During exercises, a US Army unit fired a Tomahawk missile from a new Typhon launcher, Japan's defense chief visited to observe combat training, and Tokyo and Manila agreed to fast-track the transfer of destroyers, signaling deeper practical cooperation.
Japan fires anti-ship missiles in Philippine drills
Japan's Self-Defense Forces fired anti-ship missiles in the Philippines for the first time in these exercises, marking an escalation in Tokyo's operational role in the drills.
- Balikatan 2026 seen as show of force amid China tensions
Observers described the culmination of Balikatan 2026 as a public flex of military muscle by the US, Japan and the Philippines — combining record drills and new capabilities — in response to growing regional tensions with China.
Related Coverage (2)
Tomahawk flight took 61 minutes in first Typhon launch during 2026 Balikatan drills
A Tomahawk cruise missile launched around 12:20 a.m. local time on May 5, 2026, struck an impact area inside Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija 61 minutes later, according to Col.
Balikatan 2026 features Japan Type 88 strike and first operational Typhon Tomahawk firing in the Philippines
Less than six minutes after launch, Japan’s Type 88 missile hit a decommissioned Philippine warship about 75 km off the coast of Ilocos Norte.
Sources (3)
Published May 18, 2026
Synthesized from 4 sources