Australian PM Visits Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, Aims to Mend Ties with China
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese embarked on a historic visit to Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, symbolizing efforts to mend ties between China and Australia. This significant visit follows in the footsteps of the first Australian leader who visited China five decades ago when the diplomatic relationship between the two nations was being established.
The visit marks the first time an Australian leader has set foot in China since 2016. Albanese’s main objective is to repair relations between the two countries, which have been strained in recent years due to various issues ranging from security concerns to disagreements over the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic. These tensions have led to Chinese restrictions on Australian imports, including wine, barley, and beef.
Albanese arrived in Beijing on Saturday and is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping for face-to-face talks, marking their second meeting within a year. As a symbol of unity and continuity, Albanese posed for a photograph at the Echo Wall within the Temple of Heaven, echoing the same spot where Australia’s former prime minister, Gough Whitlam, stood in 1973 – just a year after diplomatic ties were established between the two nations.
While acknowledging the changes that have occurred since Whitlam’s visit, Albanese emphasized the importance of continuing engagement between Australia and China. The relationship between the two countries has been built on decades of trade, with China emerging as Australia’s largest trading partner, particularly in the food and natural resources sectors.
However, this mutually beneficial relationship soured after Australia accused China of interfering in its political affairs in 2017. In the following year, Australia banned Huawei Technologies’ equipment from its 5G network due to national security concerns. The tensions escalated further when Australia called for an international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, sparking anger from Beijing, which responded by imposing bans on various Australian imports.
Despite the challenges, Albanese has been proactive in stabilizing the relationship since assuming leadership in May 2021. He previously met President Xi during a G20 summit in Indonesia in November 2021, making steps towards easing trade barriers. China has since lifted restrictions on Australian imports of coal and barley, and is currently reviewing dumping tariffs on Australian wine.
These positive developments have already led to an uplift in trade between the two nations, with China’s imports from Australia increasing by 8.1% from the previous year to $US116.9 billion ($NZ195 billion) in the first nine months of 2022. However, obstacles remain as China’s power projection in the Pacific islands raises concerns in Australia, while China itself worries about containment due to Australia’s security alliance with the United States and Britain in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, Australia’s support of a United Nations ruling rejecting China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea has further strained bilateral relations.
Albanese’s approach emphasizes the need for cooperation with China where possible, while also acknowledging the necessity of disagreeing when necessary and acting in Australia’s national interest. As the Australian Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and his meeting with President Xi Jinping unfold, the hope is that the trip will yield positive outcomes towards mending the strained ties between the two countries – paving the way for a more amicable and mutually beneficial relationship.
