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High-level talks are underway between China and the United States, which is supporting Beijing's strenuous opposition to plans in Taiwan for a referendum on joining the United Nations. The US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is in south-west China for two days of discussions, in which Taiwan is high on the agenda.

Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Negroponte said Taiwan's plans to hold a referendum on UN membership in March were "provocative". But while the US has thrown its weight behind Beijing on Taiwan, Washington remains jittery over China's continued military build-up. Earlier this week the top commander of the United States Pacific Fleet urged Beijing to be more transparent about how it might use its increasingly-sophisticated armed forces.

Presenter - Adam Connors
Speaker - Chen Bingde, General of the China's People's Liberation Army; Admiral Timothy Keating, Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet

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The United States has kept a tight grip on its peaceful nuclear technology for decades. But now US company, Westinghouse, has been allowed to design a new third-generation nuclear plant for China to help meet its huge energy needs.

Presenter - Adam Connors
Speaker - Alan McDonald, energy analyst with the International Atomic Energy Agency; Ian Hore-Lacy, World Nuclear Association

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Last weekend's election victory by Kevin Rudd gives Australia the first Mandarin-speaking leader in the Western World.

This has left some in the business community wondering if having a former Beijing-based diplomat as the country's leader might lead to greater opportunities for Australian companies to trade with China.

Presenter - Sen Lam
Speaker - Dr Gal Luft, the executive director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security in Washington

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China and the United States have agreed to increase their defence cooperation - including setting up a military hotline between Beijing and Washington. The hotline was finalised during a visit to Beijing by US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, who described his meetings in China as "candid, constructive and cooperative."

However, Secretary Gates echoed criticisms of China made by his predecessor, Donald Rumsfeld, over the uncertainties being generated by China's military modernisation. Nonetheless analysts say the tone and temperature of US-China defence relations are improving.

Presenter - Graeme Dobell
Speaker - US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates; Brad Glosserman, Pacific Forum, Centre for Strategic and International Studies

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Bilateral relations between China and the United States took a turn for the worse yesterday, with the Pentagon lodging a protest after three American warships were recently refused access to the port of Hong Kong. The issue was taken up during talks at the White House between US President George Bush and the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who insists it's all a misunderstanding.

Presenter - Michael Rowland
Speaker - US Democratic Congressman, and former Navy serviceman Joe Sestak; Commander of US Pacific forces Admiral Timothy Keating; Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell

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A survey of Asia Pacific security experts has found the rise of China is the central issue for Asia, but the greatest concern is about the future role of the United States. The specialists do not believe China will destabilise Asia, but are concerned about what America might do in responding to China.

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National security concerns about China's militarisation are behind America's decision to tighten regulations on military technology sales. The US has set up a list of 20 product groups that now require end-use validation which means any American company selling technology directly to China, or through a third country, must prove that the technology will not be used to boost China's military power.

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A top Chinese diplomat and foreign policy analyst says the United States is trying to create an "alliance of democracies" in Asia in a dangerous effort to hedge against China. He says the US is building up its alliances with Japan and Australia and reaching out to India to build up a so-called democratic bloc to deal with China.

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Singapore has warned of a danger of a new Cold War developing between China and the United States because of a rising American protectionism. Singapore's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong was speaking at this year's Asia Pacific Defence Ministers' meeting when he flagged the concern. While the US defence secretary, Robert Gates, sounded a conciliatory tone, he questioned China's military build-up.

Presenter - Graeme Dobell
Speaker - Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore's prime minister; Dr Robert Gates, US Defence Secretary; Lieutenant General Zhang Qinsheng, China PLA deputy chief