Australia Declines to Cancel Chinese Lease of Port

Australia Declines to Cancel Chinese Lease of Port
Image copyright: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images News [via Getty Images]

The Spin

Pro-China narrative

After the Australian government reviewed Landbridge's lease on the strategically important Darwin Port for a second time, it concluded — yet again — that there's no basis for security concerns as the port was operated as a commercial enterprise in accordance with Australian law.

Anti-China narrative

The case against Landbridge's lease is based on the Darwin Port's strategic role in the event of a confrontation in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is particularly important for security and stability throughout the region, and it's illogical to let Beijing take control of such strategic infrastructure as it is a well-known fact that private companies work in tandem with the Chinese Communist Party.

Metaculus Prediction


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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