Recent news was marked by a symbolic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing. This meeting is of particular importance, because it marks a thaw in diplomatic relations between the two countries, following several years of tensions which had an impact on trade.
China is Australia’s largest economic partner, but relations have been strained in recent years. In 2018, the Australian government excluded Chinese group Huawei from the country’s 5G network, angering Beijing. Australia subsequently called for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19, which was seen by China as a politically motivated move.
At the same time, differences over Chinese influence operations in Australia have amplified tensions. In response, China imposed high tariffs on some Australian products, impacting exports of barley, beef and wine. Additionally, China stopped buying Australian coal, depriving the country of significant revenue.
However, since Anthony Albanese came to power in Australia in May 2022, many trade restrictions have been lifted, contributing to a rapprochement between the two countries. The meeting between Xi Jinping and Albanese aims to strengthen this positive trend and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
During their meeting, Anthony Albanese highlighted the mutual benefits of trade between China and Australia. He hopes to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries. For his part, Xi Jinping spoke of the possibility of becoming “trusted partners” and achieving success together, emphasizing the absence of historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest between the two nations.
Although this meeting marks a thaw in diplomatic relations, it is important to emphasize that the strategic visions of the two countries remain different. Australia recently signed the “Aukus” security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, which has created additional tensions with China.
This visit by Anthony Albanese to China allows Beijing to present itself as a “benevolent partner” and to erase criticism concerning its economic coercion and its hostage diplomacy. It is also important to note the recent release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who has been detained in China for more than three years. This could create a more favorable climate for further discussions regarding human rights and political prisoners.
In conclusion, the meeting between Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese marks an important step in the restoration of relations between China and Australia. Although differences remain, this meeting offers an opportunity to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries. The next steps will be essential to consolidate this thaw and find a balance between the strategic and economic interests of the two nations.