Both nations agreed it was crucial to maintain the speed in their gradually warming relationships while also expanding their areas of cooperation as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese concluded his four-day visit to China.
Both sides emphasized how complement their financial relations were and expressed optimism about exploring fresh areas of collaboration in agriculture, renewable power, and climate change.
Additionally, they pledged to continue their just resumed high-level conversations. These include the yearly summits of the prime minister as well as other political, corporate, and business discussions.
What mattered most to China, while American media coverage concentrated on the trip’s historical significance and significance from a business perspective? How was the visit it covered by the media?
Beijing undoubtedly sees the trip as a significant turning point in diplomatic ties. According to official media coverage, the two nations have no historical ties and have shown in the past how a firm bilateral relationship may be advantageous to both parties.
Albanese’s efforts to bring their relationships back to this level were praised by President Xi Jinping, who referred to the visit as” a new starting point.”
Albanese’s presence at the China International Import Exhibition in Shanghai was likewise cited by the Chinese internet and some Chinese Australians as a representation of the significance of Australia to China. This was interpreted by them as a sign that Australia” did not agree with US attempts to detach from China.”
The major Chinese part takeaways
Albanese’s journey on the Chinese part has taught him a number of significant lessons. Nevertheless, China saw the trip as a chance to re-engage Australia, an important US supporter in the area and business partner.
Beijing has been changing its foreign policy after realizing that its financial pressure on the Scott Morrison administration was ineffective and that it was still being pursued by the US in an effort to restrain its fall.
It has been contacting some US allies and partners, including important member states of the European Union, and inviting them to various political activities set up by China. Additionally, it has been holding diplomatic discussions with senior representatives from these nations on significant economic and political issues.
Chinese leaders acknowledged that the American Labor Party’s standard foreign policy emphasizes working with international organizations like the UN and regional institutions. As a result, they concentrated on China and Australia’s shared interests ( trade, climate change ), as well as their shared identities ( Asia-Pacific nations ).
Depending on which side you look at it, they also subtly ( or bluntly ) reminded Canberra that its alliance commitments with the US and membership in security agreements like AUKUS and the Quad should not be at the expense of Australia-China relations and most definitely not Chinese interests.
Australia is set an example for different US friends in an opinion piece, according to the Communist Party-run Global Times:
After a bloody conflict with China since the US declared China to be its No. 1 alliance, Australia has become the first US allie to clearly alter its stance toward China. 1 business rival. Given the ups and downs of China-Australia relationships, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and yet US allies in Europe may consider themselves.
Given the challenges China is currently facing, Beijing considered the financial plan to be extremely important.
There is a restriction to the harsh sanctions China may impose on Australia given the nature of the trade between Australia and China. In actuality, bilateral trade has increased overall, reaching nearly$ 300 billion in 2022 despite the tensions that existed with Australia during the Morrison administration. This demonstrates the resilience of these economic relations as well as how complement the two markets are in reality.
During Albanese’s visit, Chinese officials and the internet emphasized this, which is why they were so important of the notion of “decoupling” from the Chinese economy.
In fact, Beijing is very concerned about any certain steps that restrict industry in the high-tech sector, such as with semiconductors. They characterized “decoupling” as going against free industry and protectionism. For limitations have been adopted more frequently in recent years by the US and its supporters.
What was n’t said was crucial.
The discrepancy between what Beijing claimed to be a powerful visit and what was really accomplished was n’t much covered in the Chinese internet.
One may argue that both sides discussed clear issues, such as how bilateral relations have largely stabilized since 18 months ago. Albanese was “pushing on an empty door,” as China analyst Richard McGregor adeptly noted.
This is not meant to minimize the advancements made thus far. In “resetting” the relationship, both governments ‘ intentions to continue and improve the numerous conversations between officers from their respective nations are crucial.
In times of crisis, these channels of communication are crucial for managing wars and preventing them from getting out of hand.
Although resetting the marriage was a clear goal in the long run, there were also significant short-term benefits. This is evident in the way the state advertising downplayed the AUKUS and South Pacific wars, where China’s effect has alarmed Canberra and Washington.
China has expressed its displeasure with the AUKUS and continues to view it as a significant barrier to the further development of diplomatic relations. However, Xi told Albanese that they could collaborate on issues relating to regional stability.
Where there are attempts to reason unrest in the Asia-Pacific place, we must first be on the lookout for them and then combat them.
The Chinese part also sees an opportunity for the two nations in the Pacific in terms of local economic development and how both Australia and China can contribute.
Jingdong Yuan teaches as an associate professor of Asia-Pacific Security at the University of Sydney.
Under a Creative Commons license, this essay has been republished from The Conversation. read the article in its entirety.