Albanese Concludes Six-Day China Visit Focusing on Security, Trade, and Panda Diplomacy

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese views his recent China visit as a diplomatic triumph, even as critics from the Opposition argue that no “tangible outcomes” were achieved during the six-day stay.

In discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Communist Party chair Zhao Leji, Albanese wrapped up his diplomatic engagements with a focus on softer diplomacy.

On Thursday, he toured the Chengdu panda research base in south-west China, a day after visiting the Great Wall of China.

He emphasized that diplomacy, unlike the distinctly hued pandas, isn’t straightforward, and noted the importance of these softer interactions in enhancing economic and diplomatic relationships.

“This visit has been very successful,” Albanese remarked to the press in Chengdu.

A couple stand on the edge of a glass fence, with a panda on the other side.

Prime Minister Albanese was accompanied by his fiancée, Jodie Haydon, to the panda research base, home to approximately 260 of the around 700 pandas in captivity worldwide. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

“It was an opportunity to have constructive discussions across the range of issues, security, our relationship, including people-to-people and importantly, our trade,” Albanese said.

He hailed the visit for reaching “more agreement and less disagreement”.

“We’ve had constructive engagement … Having the four key Australian resource and iron ore companies — BHP, Rio [Tinto], Fortescue and Hancock — negotiating with their Chinese buyers is hugely beneficial for Australia,” he commented.

Albanese praised Xi for his interest in Australia and for touring every state during previous visits, as both trade partners try to build on their understanding of one another.

“President Xi is warm and engaging. We have had four bilateral meetings, but have also engaged at other times as well on an informal basis. That’s a positive thing,” he said.

Albanese’s trip to the panda sanctuary is being viewed as a sign that Australia is in China’s favour.

Generally, when China is happy, countries receive pandas, such as Li Yan and Xing Qiu, who are currently on loan to the Adelaide Zoo. However, if relations sour, these can be recalled.

Albanese’s final stop will be a Cochlear implant factory, which manufactures Australian hearing devices and has restored hearing in more than 50,000 patients in China.

At a luncheon earlier in the day, Albanese said there is scope for the “inspiring” technology to expand further, but this relies on continued free and fair trade with China.

Albanese brushes off ‘indulgent’ trip criticism

Opposition finance spokesperson James Paterson has criticised the softer diplomacy as somewhat “indulgent”, stating the “tangible outcomes at this stage are very hard to identify”.

“I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world,” he told Sky News.

“And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent.”

Albanese brushed off Paterson’s critique, highlighting that a visit to three cities has broader economic and domestic benefits.

“Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China … who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia,” he told reporters.

“If James Patterson doesn’t understand that, then he doesn’t understand much.”

Opposition leader Sussan Ley also took aim at Albanese for not raising security concerns more forcefully.

“I was disappointed that in his meeting with President Xi, he didn’t get the assurances that he should about the unacceptable nature of the circumnavigation of Australia by the Chinese Communist Party’s navy warships,” Ley said.

Albanese said he raised the issue and sought assurances that Australia would be better informed about Chinese military drills in the region, noting the live-fire exercise didn’t break international law, as it took place in international waters.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.