Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in China for a four-day visit, aiming to stabilize bilateral trade relations and address sensitive issues including human rights violations and the detention of Australian citizens.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in China for a four-day visit, marking the first visit by an Australian leader to the country since 2016. Albanese aims to discuss and strengthen bilateral trade relations, which have seen recent improvements as China lifted import restrictions on Australian commodities. However, trade restrictions on Australian lobsters, beef, and wine duties still remain. Beijing is likely to seek Australian support for its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and for Chinese companies to gain access to Australia’s critical minerals industry.
While economic ties will be a priority, experts believe Albanese will also address other contentious issues, including the arbitrary detention of Australian citizen Yang Hengjun. Although Australian journalist Cheng Lei was released after almost three years of detention, there are concerns about Yang’s well-being in Chinese detention, as he has a kidney cyst. Albanese and his Cabinet members have consistently advocated for detained Australian citizens and expressed concerns about human rights violations in China, and it is expected that these concerns will be incorporated into his visit to China. The Australian government aims to acknowledge areas of difference between Australia and China to avoid being seen as complicit through omission.
Overall, Albanese’s visit to China is focused on strengthening trade relations, discussing contentious issues, and emphasizing human rights concerns.
Source : Australian Prime Minister Arrives in China for Four-Day Visit
