Australian Prime Minister Albanese in China
July 16—Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is visiting China from July 13 to July 19, visiting Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, with a group of business leaders. The visit is aimed at improving and increasing trade relations between the Asian nations in light of the Trump Administration’s financial warfare and the global economic crisis.
Global Times notes: “The visit, Albanese’s second as prime minister and his first since being reelected in May, carried particular weight as it coincided with the beginning of the second decade of China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…. This tour is not merely a reciprocal visit after Premier Li’s trip to Australia last year but underscores Albanese’s high prioritization of China-Australia relations.”
“Here I’ve brought a whole range of businesses with us from (the)resources sector, tourism and education. All engaging with China in a constructive way to boost our economic benefit. Engaging with China is in our interest to build a stable and secure region,” Albanese said, in a video he posted on X on July 14 with Shanghai’s landmark buildings as the background.
The Times writes: “Data shows that China has been Australia’s largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports for 16 consecutive years, serving as a critical export destination for Australian products ranging from iron ore and energy resources to agricultural products and seafood.” Zhou Fangyin, professor at the School of International Relations at Sun Yat-sen University, told the Global Times on July 14 that “As an ally of the US, Australia has not blindly followed the US, but instead adopted a pragmatic approach to cooperation with China. This sends a positive signal against the backdrop of a complex and volatile geopolitical landscape.”
The visit comes despite the fact that Asian war-hawks within the Trump Administration are pressuring Australia (and Japan) to declare their commitment to join with the U.S. in putting increasing military pressure on China over Taiwan.