Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (center), November 5, 2023 in Shanghai (AFP/Hector RETAMAL)
Chinese President Xi Jinping will receive Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing on Monday, a meeting symbolizing the thaw in diplomatic relations after years of tensions which have slowed trade.
The Asian giant is Canberra’s main economic partner. But bilateral ties had deteriorated significantly.
The Australian government at the time excluded the private Chinese group Huawei from the country’s 5G network in 2018 and in 2020 requested an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19 – an initiative that Beijing considered politically motivated because it came from a close partner of the United States.
Relations had also become strained over disputes over alleged Chinese influence operations in Australia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the third New Silk Roads forum on October 18, 2023 in Beijing (AFP/Pedro PARDO)
In response, China imposed high tariffs on key Australian exports such as barley, beef and wine.
Beijing had also stopped buying significant quantities of raw materials from Australia, including coal, depriving the country of billions of dollars in revenue.
Many of the trade restrictions have, however, been gradually lifted since Labor and Mr Albanese returned to power in May 2022.
The meeting between Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese will be the first between a Chinese president and an Australian prime minister in more than seven years.
Speaking to Australian television, Anthony Albanese on Monday welcomed the “promising signs” of an improvement in relations. He reported a “more constructive discussion” with Beijing and an “increase” in trade.
– “Important relationship” –
“We have already seen the disappearance of a certain number of obstacles to trade between our two countries,” he said.
“China is our main trading partner,” he added. “It represents more than 25% of our exports and one in four jobs depends on our trade. It is therefore an important relationship.”
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang (left) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese exchange a handshake on November 5, 2023 in Shanghai (China) (AFP/Hector RETAMAL)
Despite the thaw, the Australian Prime Minister clarified last month that the two countries were not strategically aligned and had different histories and values.
“We must cooperate with China when we can” and “disagree when necessary,” he stressed on Monday.
China also strongly criticizes the “Aukus” security pact, signed by Australia with the United States and the United Kingdom, which does not hide its desire to counter Chinese influence in the Asia-Pacific.
This pact notably includes the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra. Beijing sees this as a threat to its security but also an agreement that contravenes nuclear non-proliferation rules.
– Journalist released –
This week’s meetings between Anthony Albanese and Chinese officials will allow Beijing to present itself as a “benevolent partner” welcoming a friend returning to the right path, said Courtney Fung, an analyst at Asia Society Australia, a think tank dedicated to ‘Asia.
“China will not want to dwell on criticism of its economic coercion or its hostage diplomacy,” she told AFP.
China last month released Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who worked for Chinese English-language public television CGTN and had been detained for more than three years on charges of “divulging state secrets abroad”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with Colombian President Gustavo Petro (not pictured), October 25, 2023 in Beijing (POOL/AFP/Ken Ishii)
His release has revived the hopes of the sons of Australian writer Yang Jun, imprisoned in China since 2019, who asked the Australian Prime Minister on Wednesday to discuss the fate of their father during his trip to Beijing.
China will want to present this visit by Anthony Albanese as a recognition by Australia of its past mistakes, judges Yun Sun, researcher at the Stimson Center, based in Washington.
“It will present Mr Albanese as (a leader) being on the right side of history and doing the right thing for the good of the (Australian) economy, particularly for export-oriented businesses, including the wine,” she emphasizes.
“This is the way China is going to present things.”
© 2023 AFP
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