Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has begun a diplomatic visit to China aimed at reinforcing economic relations between the two countries.
On Sunday, Albanese met with Shanghai Communist Party Secretary Chen Jining, marking the start of a series of high-level engagements that will also include meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.
Speaking to Chinese state broadcaster CGTN upon his arrival in Shanghai, Albanese emphasized the significance of the bilateral relationship, noting that he is accompanied by a “very large business delegation.” He highlighted that this reflects the vital role economic cooperation plays between Australia and China.
During his weeklong visit, the prime minister will also engage with leaders in the business, tourism, and sports sectors across Shanghai and Chengdu. A CEO roundtable is scheduled for Tuesday in Beijing, as part of broader efforts to deepen commercial links.
One of the notable developments of the trip so far includes the signing of a partnership agreement between Chinese travel platform Trip.com and Tourism Australia. The deal aims to boost Chinese tourism to Australia, a sector that has seen strong growth historically.
This marks Albanese’s second visit to China since his Labor Party formed government in 2022. His administration secured a stronger majority in the May elections, providing more political support for its foreign policy approach.
Since taking office, Albanese has successfully negotiated the removal of several trade restrictions that were put in place during the previous conservative administration. These trade barriers had cost Australian exporters over 20 billion Australian dollars (approximately $13 billion USD) annually.
Tensions had escalated between Beijing and Canberra in recent years, particularly after Australia advocated for an independent investigation into the origins and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this history, Albanese is looking to balance restoring trade ties with reducing Australia’s overreliance on its largest trading partner.
“My government very much values our relationship with China,” Albanese told Chen during their meeting. “We engage with each other in a calm and consistent way. It’s in our national interest to maintain good relations with China.”
Chinese state media outlet Xinhua echoed this positive sentiment in an editorial, describing the relationship between the two nations as “steadily improving” and gaining “fresh momentum.” The editorial noted that there are “no fundamental conflicts of interest” between China and Australia, and that by focusing on mutual respect and shared goals, both countries can pursue common prosperity.
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