Australian PM Anthony Albanese’s historic visit to China last week heralds a new era of diplomacy and cooperation between the two countries. This visit will be his second in less than two years. It comes on the heels of serious headway in bilateral ties, most notably the recent release of detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei after three years of detention. The visit cements Albanese’s dedication to maintaining an open line of communication with China, yet playing the balancing act of regional geopolitics.
On his previous visit, Albanese waged war to break down trade barriers. These barriers had previously severely limited Australian exports to China. This milestone was seen as a significant turnaround in relations after years of high tension under the former Coalition government. The Australian leader’s return to China, invited personally by President Xi Jinping, signals a mutual interest in exploring further collaboration and understanding.
Ceremonial Welcome and Strategic Discussions
Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang were given a ceremonial welcome in Beijing, underscoring the significance of this diplomatic rapprochement. The two leaders seem exceptionally positioned to tackle a number of pressing issues. Another important concern is the continued situation of Australian memoirist Yang Hengjun, who has been jailed in China on spies charges since 2019. Yang has repeatedly disputed these charges. His case is expected to be a key point of discussion during Albanese’s upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping.
As Albanese readies himself for these negotiations, he has the difficult task of reconciling Australia’s strategic priorities with its economic imperatives. Balancing these priorities is crucial as Australia seeks to maintain a rules-based Indo-Pacific while recognizing the economic opportunities that deeper engagement with China presents.
“Cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest.” – Anthony Albanese
The cover for Albanese’s visit is China’s attempt to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We expect this issue to be a major focus of debate. Australia is pushing back against China’s admission to CPTPP, citing concerns over its CPTPP-compliant trading practices.
The Broader Context of Australia-China Relations
Since May 2022, over 40 official Chinese delegations have visited various levels of Australian government, indicating a renewed focus on strengthening ties. Plus, on September 28, China introduced a 30-day visa-free entry for Australians as of the end of 2025. This new venture has undoubtedly piqued greater interest in travel and learning exchanges with the two countries.
Dr Fitzgerald, a leading expert on Australia-China relations, argues that this engagement is critical. He points out the importance of continued efforts to set up regular leader’s summits between the two nations. They plan to institutionalize an annual Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue.
“There were routine, regular bilateral leadership meetings and a Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue with China, held annually in both countries.” – Dr. Fitzgerald
Yet the intricacies of Australia’s economic reliance on China further muddles the relationship. Australia is prioritizing its security and defense relationships with other countries in the region, including India, and Europe. It will need to walk this tightrope carefully.
“It’s more like balancing Australia’s economic dependence on China — and China’s willingness to leverage that dependence against Australia’s need to build more comprehensive security and defence relations with other countries in the region and with Europe.” – Dr. Fitzgerald
Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges
As Albanese deepens his engagement with Xi Jinping, including in bilateral discussions later this year, the stakes could hardly be higher. The Australian government currently recognises Beijing’s One China policy, which means that its relationship with Taiwan is understood as an unofficial one. This position illustrates Australia’s desire to continue fostering stability in the Indo-Pacific region while still pursuing its own strategic interests.
The expected conversation would almost certainly include some of the most pressing geopolitical concerns that impact both countries. Yang Hengjun’s case remains a contentious issue. Albanese’s approach will be subjected to rigorous scrutiny from analysts in Australia and around the world.
“If meeting the criteria for entry to the CPTPP was the main consideration — which included being a free market for trade and business — then clearly the People’s Republic of China doesn’t meet those criteria. Taiwan does.” – Dr. Fitzgerald
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