Australia’s strained relationship with China has had significant consequences, particularly in terms of trade. The Chinese government’s trade restrictions severely impacted the Australian wine industry, as well as the livelihoods of farmers and fishers across the country. However, there are now signs of progress as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to embark on a historic trip to Beijing, the first by an Australian leader in seven years. This visit is seen as a positive step towards stabilizing the relationship, which has been marred by economic tensions in recent years.
During his four-day visit, Albanese will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as make stops in Beijing and Shanghai. The two countries have only recently started to emerge from a diplomatic deadlock that began in 2020, when China imposed trade restrictions on a range of Australian exports. These restrictions were widely seen as political retaliation for former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s call for an international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in China. However, relations between the two countries had already been deteriorating prior to this event.
Both China and Australia have much to gain from easing economic tensions, and they have been working towards that goal in recent months. The outcome of their efforts has important implications for the Indo-Pacific region, where strong communication between China and Australia, a key ally of the United States, could contribute to stability in an increasingly contentious area. Leaders from Washington to Seoul will be closely following the developments of Albanese’s visit.
This visit also holds symbolic significance, as it marks 50 years since the first official visit by an Australian leader to Communist China. According to experts, commemorating this diplomatic milestone represents progress in bilateral relations. Jingdong Yuan, an associate professor at the University of Sydney, believes that this visit is a crucial opportunity for both countries to explore areas of potential cooperation.
Albanese described the upcoming trip as a result of a careful and calculated approach to the relationship with China. He emphasized the positive step of being the first Australian leader to visit their major trading partner in seven years. However, various tensions will cast a shadow over the proceedings, and analysts believe that the meetings will not be enough to fully repair the fragile relationship between the two countries.
Beijing’s economic campaign has heightened concerns in Australia over alleged Chinese espionage, political interference, and its activities in the Pacific Islands. The detention of Australian citizens, including journalist Cheng Lei and writer Yang Hengjun, has further strained the relationship. On the other hand, China has expressed alarm at Australia’s deepening security ties with the United States. China has long been unhappy with Australia publicly expressing national security concerns and banning telecoms provider Huawei in 2018.
Announced shortly after a deal was reached to potentially lift tariffs on wine, the trip aims to address outstanding trade issues, such as the restrictions on lobster, as well as larger concerns like China’s aggression in the South China Sea and the detention of Yang. Albanese has made it clear that Australia will cooperate, disagree when necessary, and engage in its national interest during discussions with China.
For China, this visit presents an opportunity to pursue greater access to Australia’s resources and renewable energy sectors. Chinese leaders may also seek support from Albanese for China’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a free trade agreement among countries in the Pacific region. China is keen to repair ties with other US-friendly economic partners, like those in Europe, to prevent them from fully aligning with America’s China policy.
As Albanese works to repair ties with China, he must strike a delicate balance between Australia’s interests and China’s concerns about the Quad and AUKUS alliances. Analysts believe that he can convey that these arrangements do not specifically target China and that Australia has a long history of participating in such security arrangements. Australia could serve as an example to other middle powers with close ties to the US in terms of effectively navigating relationships with both the US and China.
In conclusion, Albanese’s visit to China holds significant importance for both countries as they strive to stabilize their relationship. The outcome of this visit could impact not only bilateral ties but also regional stability and the relationship between major global powers. For China, it provides an opportunity to showcase its willingness to improve relations with a resource-rich US ally. Ultimately, the hope is that the visit will create a positive atmosphere for high-stakes talks between China and the US as they seek to ease tensions and build a more stable relationship.
