Anthony Albanese becomes first Australian PM to visit China

Anthony Albanese becomes the first Australian PM to visit China since 2016 after the tenure of Malcolm Turnbull. Anthony is going to make a trip to mainland China after a turbulent period in bilateral ties.

Mr. Anthony pledges to engage in constructive conservation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He will travel to Beijing today since after his predecessor Gough Whitlam’s momentous visit to China.

The Prime Minister has pledged to hold "constructive" conversations with President Xi Jinping as he becomes the first Australian leader to make the trip to mainland China since Malcolm Turnbull in 2016.https://t.co/7QSCZ2V56T
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 4, 2023

While Anthony is following in the footsteps of Gough who established relations with China in 1972. Gough was careful to first visit the United States which is called forever friend of Australia.

However, Anthony confirmed the exact dates of his long-planned China visit from November 4 to 7 just hours before he got on the plane to Washington DC. He met with the US President at the White House along with her wife.

Australia PM Anthony Albanese arrives at the White House to meet US #President Joe Biden! 🧐

Find out the details of the meeting at TabloidPK! 👇https://t.co/ZhYKqTLQpO #assault #Hamas #MilitaryCourts #GrandeFratello #GSvFCB #NamakHaram #Ghauri #australia #AUSvsNED #Palestine pic.twitter.com/6OEGzlWuNa
— TabloidPK (@tabloidpk) October 25, 2023

PM Anthony before boarding to Beijing announced some policy initiatives including some for Australian wine growers which shows a possible softening relationship with Beijing. China imposed anti-subsidy fees on Australian import wines in 2021 which is expected that China will now review as a result of the Australian PM’s visit to China.

News that punitive tariffs on Australian wine introduced by China in 2021 would be reviewed as part of a push to improve the relationship between the two countries was cheered by many https://t.co/3LCj00tkDV
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 3, 2023

Anthony Albanese becomes the first Australian PM to visit China

PM Anthony shared a video on his official X a few hours ago saying that Australia has prioritized discussion in its efforts to stabilize its relationship with China.

Australia has put dialogue at the heart of our efforts to stabilise our relationship with China. pic.twitter.com/vjLKdITNtN
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 4, 2023

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According to Emma Shortis, the government of Anthony was clearly doubling down on the US alliance. While also being intent on stabilizing the relationship with China, particularly the trade relationship. Emma is a senior researcher in International and Security Affairs at the Australia Institute.

China is the most important trading partner of Australia. But Australia also shares a strong bilateral relationship with the United States which is a rival of China.

In this regard, Emma said that is a difficult line to walk. She thinks Australia just needs to wait and see how the Chinese handle it.

The visit of Anthony to Chia is the first by an Australian leader in seven years. After the visit of Foreign Minister Penny Wong to build bridges with China in Dec 2022.