China’s Xi says Australia ties have ‘turned around’ as he hosts Albanese
Al Jazeera4 days
Albanese Completes High-Profile China Visit
Above: The national flags of Australia and China at Tiananmen Square on July 14, 2025 in Beijing, China. Image copyright: Wang Xin/VCG/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Anthony Albanese's visit to China marked a powerful reset, with warm symbolism, frank talks, and renewed cooperation restoring a once-frosty relationship. From music-filled receptions to open dialogue with Xi Jinping, both nations affirmed a commitment to stability, mutual respect, and economic partnership — proof that diplomacy, when handled with care, can turn past tensions into promising new chapters.
Anti-China narrative
Australia must remember that China's intentions transcend trade. Behind diplomatic smiles lies a nation systematically expanding military dominance, coercing neighbors, and weaponizing economic dependence. While stabilization offers short-term relief, true security demands recognizing that when one seeks stability and another seeks destabilization, the aggressor invariably prevails. Australia must stay vigilant.
Narrative C
Albanese navigates a treacherous diplomatic tightrope in China, balancing $312 billion in trade ties against Western security. With President Donald Trump's aggression toward allies and Beijing's military assertiveness casting shadows, Albanese must court economic partnerships while addressing espionage cases and military provocations. Each handshake risks alienating either his largest trading partner or crucial security guarantor.