Australian PM to Protest Lack of Transparency in China’s Treatment of Detained Blogger
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed his intention to protest the lack of transparency in China’s treatment of a detained Australian democracy blogger during his upcoming visit to Beijing. The issue of the blogger, Dr. Yang, who has been detained without conviction for nearly five years, will be one of the topics discussed when Albanese meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Dr. Yang, who is 58 years old, is currently being held in a Beijing detention center awaiting the verdict of a closed-door trial on espionage charges, scheduled for 2021. His family is concerned about his deteriorating health and fears for his life.
Albanese has been advocating for Dr. Yang and another detained Australian, journalist Cheng Lei, since his first meeting with President Xi Jinping in 2020. Cheng Lei was recently released and deported after three years in detention for breaking a government-imposed embargo. Her release was seen as a positive step ahead of Albanese’s visit to China.
Albanese’s visit marks the first time an Australian prime minister has traveled to China since 2016, signifying a potential improvement in the strained relations between the two countries since the center-left government came to power last year. The visit also includes a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, with whom Albanese hopes to strengthen bilateral relations.
The prime minister has credited his government’s approach, which focuses on resolving trade barriers and promoting transparency, for stabilizing the relationship between Australia and China. Albanese has been outspoken about reducing unjustified trade barriers that have hindered Australian exports to China, which previously cost Australian exporters approximately AU$20 billion ($13 billion) annually. Since then, these barriers have been significantly reduced to around AU$2 billion ($1.3 billion) per year.
During his visit, Albanese plans to reinvigorate the China-Australia free trade agreement, address outstanding trade bans imposed by China, and establish mechanisms for resolving future trade disputes. As Australia’s largest export market, China plays a vital role in sectors such as iron ore, natural gas, and critical minerals like lithium.
Albanese’s trip also includes attending the China International Import Expo trade fair in Shanghai, where over 200 Australian companies will be represented. This event presents an opportunity for Australian businesses to showcase their products and explore potential trade opportunities with Chinese partners.
While China has expressed concerns about the restrictions placed on Chinese investment due to security reasons, many Australian executives who conduct business with China advocate for easing these restrictions to facilitate closer economic ties.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to China is not only an important step in strengthening bilateral relations but also an opportunity to address issues of transparency and human rights, particularly in the case of the detained blogger, Dr. Yang. Both countries are looking to resolve trade barriers and foster a more mutually beneficial partnership. The discussions during this visit will have far-reaching implications for the future of Australia-China relations.
