Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began his second official visit to China on Saturday, aiming to strengthen trade ties with the country despite lingering geopolitical tensions. The week-long trip, which includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, marks a significant moment in Australia-China relations following years of strained diplomatic ties.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply in 2017 over national security concerns and competing interests in the Indo-Pacific. However, the relationship showed signs of improvement late last year when China lifted a ban on Australian rock lobster imports, effectively ending a damaging trade war. Speaking ahead of his visit, Albanese stated that trade is now “flowing freely,” benefiting people and businesses in both nations.
Despite this economic thaw, the visit is not without challenges. China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea and its increasing military presence in the region have heightened regional anxieties. Albanese acknowledged the complexities, saying, “We cooperate where we can, we disagree where we must,” and emphasized the importance of honest, direct engagement.
China, for its part, expressed optimism. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing hopes the visit will enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation. Still, security issues loom large over the talks, particularly following Australia’s recent ban on the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek on government devices due to cybersecurity concerns.
Adding to the tension is the fate of the Chinese-controlled Darwin Port. Albanese’s government is reviewing its ownership, with the possibility of forcing a sale to a local entity. Experts suggest that China is keen for the issue to quietly disappear, especially as it seeks to portray the relationship as normalised.
Accompanied by a delegation of Australian business leaders, Albanese is set to attend a CEO roundtable in Beijing and will address matters related to tourism and sports in Shanghai and Chengdu.
While trade remains the trip’s central focus, the visit represents a careful balancing act reinforcing economic ties with China while managing growing security concerns and maintaining Australia’s alliance with the United States.
