The recent meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping has garnered significant attention, especially from Chinese state media, including the English-language Global Times. This publication, linked to the People’s Daily, painted a positive picture of Australia-China relations, expressing optimism about their future trajectory. A cartoon depicting a panda and a kangaroo symbolised the theme of "cooperation," with the editorial stating that China is keen for these relations to "cruise steadily in the stratosphere".
Albanese affirmed Australia’s commitment to the one-China policy and highlighted that Australia does not aim to sever ties with the Chinese economy. His pragmatic approach was commended in the editorial, which noted his ability to pursue "harmony without uniformity" during engagements with Chinese leadership. Following a turbulent period in bilateral relations, the editorial reflected that both nations now share a common hope for mutual benefits, suggesting that this shift presents significant opportunities for development.
The publication further articulated hope for a more nuanced understanding of China from Australia, aiming to enhance strategic trust and lay the groundwork for advanced cooperation. In contrast to his predecessor, Scott Morrison, Albanese’s strategy has been recognised for fostering a clearer and more constructive outlook towards China, marking a notable "turnaround" in relations.
During his diplomatic mission, the Prime Minister also met with Premier Li Qiang, where the discussions centred on global and regional concerns, as well as avenues for boosting trade and tourism. Albanese noted the observable respect between both nations, while Premier Li emphasised the need for closer collaboration amidst growing protectionism and destabilising global factors.
Overall, the meeting underscored a significant diplomatic effort by Albanese to reinvigorate the Australia-China relationship, presenting it as a necessary step towards overcoming past challenges and fostering a more cooperative future.