A month following the US PresidentDonald Trump cancelled talks with Anthony Albanese, China welcomed the Australian leader with a red carpet this week.
In Beijing, he attended a two-hour meeting with the President.Xi Jinpingat the People's Great Hall. Albanese's fiancée, Jodie Haydon, attended the subsequent lunch.
He had individual discussions with Premier Li Qiang, and together they led a CEO round table that included almost 30 Chinese and Australian business leaders. During the dinner hosted by Li that evening, a band performed famous Australian songs such as "a different version of Paul Kelly's 'To Her Door' and Midnight Oil's 'Power and the Passion'," Albanese later mentioned to journalists.
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The Australian leader also traveled to Shanghai and Chengdu during a six-day visit that provided insight into Canberra's strategy for managing major power competition following a renewal of ties with Beijing.
It demonstrated how Australia is seeking to keep connections with China – its biggest trading partner – and the United States, while avoiding more complicated matters like Beijing'smilitary activities and Taiwan.
"Australia's situation is not uncommon in the area," stated James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney.
I believe there is still value in Canberra's method. The economic benefits from relations with China and the security advantages from ties with the US are significant enough that making a clear-cut decision is not practical.
Laurenceson noted that Labor's decisive victory in May had strengthened Albanese's and his administration's confidence in continuing with this strategy.
I am not indicating any major changes in policy after the trip," he stated. "However, it has shown a strengthening of Canberra's resolve against loud right-wing domestic critics and pressure from Washington.
During the prominent journey, Albanese emphasized the significance ofAustralia's relationship with China, informing Xi on Tuesday that his administration would "maintain a composed and steady approach based on our national interests".
Chen Hong, head of the Australian Studies Centre at East China Normal University in Shanghai, stated that this development is expected to result in more consistent relationships.
Maintaining policy consistency will guarantee the stability of Australia's future approach toward China," he stated. "Therefore, during Albanese's current leadership, relations between China and Australia are expected to remain stable and continue improving, with possible advancements in specific areas.
Critical topics cast a shadow on Albanese's visit to China - his second as prime minister - including Taiwan, military actions near Australia, and theport of DarwinIt was leased to a Chinese firm for 99 years in 2015, and Canberra has pledged to reclaim it on grounds of national security.
Nevertheless, both parties seemed to manage their disagreements, which might also indicate Beijing's attempts to maintain stability in relations with key trading partners, including U.S. allies in the area, in response to pressure from Washington.
As per Albanese, the Darwin Port matter was not brought up during the discussions this week, and the Chinese leader also did not reference a Financial Times article from last Saturday suggesting the Pentagon waspressing Japan and Australiaregarding their roles in the case of a conflict between the United States and China concerning Taiwan.
Later, when questioned about whether he had supported Australia's stance against "Taiwan independence," as mentioned in the Chinese summary of his meeting with Xi, Albanese repeated the nation's consistent and cross-party backing for maintaining the current situation across the Taiwan Strait.
Albanese also informed journalists that when he had raised concerns about aChinese navy live-fire drilloff the Australian coast, "President Xi stated that China conducts drills, just as Australia does."
Chen mentioned that Australia is expected to continue its long-standing dedication to the alliance with the United States in the coming period. "However, the Trump administration's 'America first' approach and its use of allies and partners as tools are prompting many traditional allies to reconsider," he stated.
Australia is also anticipated to pursue its own national interests, steering clear of overzealous strategic alignment with the United States.
Nevertheless, the United States is seemingly increasing the pressure.
Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday, based on information from sources, that John Noh, the deputy assistant secretary of defence for East Asia, is currently touring the Indo-Pacific region, with a visit to Sydney to discuss the US-Australia partnership and theAukusA security alliance seeking to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, backed by the United States and the United Kingdom. The agreement is being examined by the Trump administration to determine if it fits the "America first" policy.
In the meantime, it is unclear how Beijing and Canberra will address security issues that have escalated since the People's Liberation Army conducted a drill in waters between Australia and New Zealand in February. Australian officials stated that the live-fire exercise led to the rerouting of almost 50 commercial flights.
A survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre, which included 32,000 adults from the six inhabited continents between January 8 and April 26, found that Australia was among just three nations—alongside the United States and Japan—that view China as the primary threat.
Despite the leaders of China and Australia committing to enhance cooperation, the joint statement issued following Albanese's meeting with Li did not include any reference to defense or maritime discussions.
The two parties conducted a defense strategic dialogue in Beijing in February, approximately a week prior to the PLA Navy exercise. Laurenceson from Sydney mentioned that Albanese and Li had agreed to restart the dialogue the previous year and expressed his expectation that it would continue.
Meanwhile, Australian defense chief Pat Conroy stated on Monday that the activities and presence of Chinese surveillance vessels near Australia are being closely watched as the country hosts a two-yearly exercise with the United States. This year'sTalisman Sabre exerciseis the largest to date, featuring 19 countries participating.
"The Chinese military has been monitoring these exercises since 2017. It would be highly unusual for them to ignore it," Conroy said to the ABC.
Chen pointed out that, as stated in the joint declaration, Beijing and Canberra committed to enhancing law enforcement collaboration to address criminal activities such as counter-narcotics efforts, transnational and organized crime, and cyber-telecom fraud.
"The two nations should increase engagement and dialogue to promote security collaboration, based on improved mutual confidence," he stated.
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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
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