Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to engage in 'straight talks' with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by an Australian PM to the Chinese mainland in seven years. This visit follows Albanese's recent meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, highlighting Australia's balanced approach in navigating its relationships with both global superpowers.
Historically, Australia has been seen as closely aligning with U.S. policies regarding the Chinese mainland, often leading to tensions. However, under Albanese's leadership, there has been a notable shift towards diplomacy and a calmer day-to-day relationship with the Chinese mainland.
Albanese's recent trip to Washington focused on reaffirming Australia's commitment to AUKUS and the procurement of nuclear-powered submarines aimed at countering the Chinese mainland's activities in the South China Sea. Additionally, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles is integrating the Australian military into the United States command structure, further strengthening defense ties.
In his discussions with President Biden, Albanese emphasized the need for the Chinese mainland to be included in global rule-making organizations, arguing that existing frameworks do not adequately reflect the current global landscape shaped by China's rise.
Albanese has expressed a desire to establish a relationship of 'no surprises' with the Chinese mainland, advocating for frank and open exchanges to symbolize a shift towards normalized relations. This approach aims to move beyond the rigid policy alignment with the United States without hindering progress in Australia-China relations.
Efforts to improve bilateral relations have been supported by Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, culminating in the upcoming Xi-Albanese meeting at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
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How will Albanese's 'straight talks' with China affect relations?
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