Beijing’s leadership has treated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese via extensive hospitality during his diplomatic visit.
Albanese described himself as continuing the work of Gough Whitlam, his famous Labor forebear to “build stability and security in the region” through engagement.
“Here today, of course, I had the sense of history, following in the footsteps of the Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who was the first prime minister to visit here in 1973,” he told reporters at the Great Wall on July 16.
Whitlam first visited the Great Wall in 1971. Then the opposition leader, he was among the first Western political figures to visit communist China after. The visit laid the foundation for Australia’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China in December 1972.
The prime minister’s stroll with his fiancée Jodie Haydon came after the leader was treated to a performance by Chinese musicians of Australian classics on July 15.
“The dinner last night, that was attended by all of the business people, leaders from Australia, as well as business leaders here in China, was a wonderful event.
“I’ve got to say that the band there in the Great Hall played a different version of Paul Kelly’s To Her Door, of Midnight Oil’s Power and the Passion and a range of songs as well.
“That obviously took them a long period of time and those gestures matter. Respect matters between countries. I took that as being a very warm gesture indeed and they did it very well.”
CCP Premier Criticises Impending Decision on Darwin Port
Despite the earlier “constructive meeting” with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping on July 15, Albanese could not deny fundamental differences in the relationship.
The CCP has expressed frustration over Australia’s strict foreign investment rules targeting Chinese firms.
CCP Premier Li Qiang told business leaders the regime would safeguard the rights of foreign businesses and ensure they were treated according to the law, a veiled reference to Australia’s plans to revoke the 99-year lease of Darwin Port held by Chinese company Landbridge.
“I trust Australia will treat Chinese enterprise fairly and properly resolve issues regarding market access and investment review,” he told a gathering of Australian and Chinese business leaders.
Albanese said the restrictions were not aimed specifically at China, but were part of a broader, country-agnostic effort to safeguard Australia’s national interests.
“We have a case-by-case issue when it comes to foreign investment,” he said. “It is viewed not on the basis of any one country, but on the basis of an objective assessment of our national interest.”
Chinese business leaders raised concerns whether existing LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) contracts could be affected if Australia were to unilaterally intervene in the market, for example by introducing a gas reservation policy.
“We don’t interfere with those sovereign issues when it comes to gas, whether it be for China, for Japan or for the Republic of Korea,” Albanese said in response.
The prime minister will fly to Chengdu, the capital of southwestern Sichuan Province, where he will spruik Australia’s sporting ties with China and meet some of the city’s famous pandas.
AAP contributed to this report.
