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Australia's Albanese Confirms Visit to China

Published JUL 8 2025

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Above: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the 2022 G20 summit on Nov. 15, 2022. Image credit: James Brickwood/Sydney Morning Herald/Getty Images

The Facts

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pay an official visit to China from Saturday to the following Friday, traveling to Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu ahead of his meeting with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials.
News.com.au
Guardian
Prime Minister of Australia
Albanese will hold the Australia–China Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Xi in Beijing, where the prime minister will also meet Chairman Zhao Leji of the National People’s Congress to discuss trade and tourism, as well as global and regional issues.
Prime Minister of Australia
China is Australia’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly A$196 billion ($127.8 billion) of Australian exports in 2024, with Albanese adding on Tuesday that China had lifted sanctions on A$20 billion worth of Australian goods, including wine, barley, beef, and coal.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Financial Review
Fortune Asia
During his visits to Shanghai and Chengdu, the prime minister will meet with Chinese business, tourism, and sports representatives, which will “build on Australia’s strong economic and trade links with China,” according to a government press release.
Prime Minister of Australia
Albanese will be accompanied by a high-level business delegation including executives from BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, BlueScope Steel, Macquarie Bank, and HSBC, who will participate in the Australia-China CEO Roundtable hosted by the Business Council of Australia and China Development Bank.
Australian Financial Review
Bloomberg.com
Prime Minister of Australia
The visit will be Albanese’s second to China in his official role as prime minister, and comes amid his efforts to secure a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom the Australian government is currently negotiating to reduce tariffs to below the 10% baseline.
The Epoch Times
Guardian
Fortune Asia

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-China narrative

A healthy relationship with China is essential for a strong and prosperous Australia. As it stands, China accounts for nearly a third of Australia’s total trade and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The prime minister’s visit, therefore, champions Australia’s interests by furthering cooperation with China while bringing Australian concerns to the fore.

Prime Minister of Australia

Global Times

Pro-establishment narrative

While Albanese’s reset of Australia’s relationship with China is a major achievement, he must now turn his attention to the United States. The U.S. may not be Australia’s largest trading partner, but it is its most important strategic ally. Given the Trump administration’s review of AUKUS and its trade policy, Albanese must apply the same diplomatic skills with the U.S. as he did with China.