Albanese Arrives in China as Trade and Security Take Center Stage

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed in Shanghai on Saturday, beginning a six-day tour of three Chinese cities where trade relations and regional security concerns are expected to dominate discussions.

This marks Albanese’s second visit to China, during which he is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping. The visit includes a CEO roundtable and a contingent of major Australian business leaders. The visit comes at a pivotal moment: Australia has intensified scrutiny of Chinese investments in critical minerals, while the global economy faces uncertainty amid renewed U.S. tariff threats under former President Donald Trump. China accounts for approximately 26 percent of Australia’s total two-way trade ($312–325 billion AUD).

Here are some important historical events in Australia-China relations:

Nov 17, 2014 – Australia signs a landmark Free Trade Agreement with China, its largest trading partner, after a decade of negotiations. The deal takes effect in late 2015.

Dec 5, 2017 – Amid concerns over foreign influence, Australia bans overseas political donations to prevent external interference, particularly from China.

Aug 23, 2018 – Citing national security concerns, Australia blocks Huawei Technologies from participating in its 5G network rollout.

Apr 2020 – Australia calls for an international investigation into the origins of COVID-19. In response, China’s ambassador warns of consumer boycotts targeting Australian wine, beef, and tourism.

Jun 9, 2020 – China advises its students to reconsider studying in Australia due to reported racist incidents, threatening a vital $27.5 billion education export market.

Oct 11, 2023 – Australian journalist Cheng Lei is released from a Chinese prison after three years of detention on national security charges.

Oct 22, 2023 – China agrees to review its 218 percent anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine, prompting Canberra to pause its World Trade Organization complaint.

Nov 6–7, 2023 – During a visit to Beijing, Albanese meets Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, stressing the long-term benefits of stable ties. Xi echoes the sentiment, calling for enhanced cooperation.

Jan 18, 2024 – Australia rebuffs remarks by China’s ambassador who attempted to shift blame over a November naval incident near Japan that injured Australian military divers.

Feb 5, 2024 – A Beijing court sentences Australian writer Yang Hengjun to a suspended death sentence, five years after his detention and three years after a closed-door espionage trial.

Mar 29, 2024 – China removes punitive tariffs on Australian wine, leading to a spike in imports.

Dec 3, 2024 – China lifts the final restrictions on Australian beef imports.

Dec 12, 2024 – Australia secures a rugby league development deal with Papua New Guinea, tied to the Pacific nation’s agreement to forgo security cooperation with China.

Dec 26, 2024 – China resumes imports of Australian lobster, marking another step toward normalizing trade.

Feb 21, 2025 – Foreign Minister Penny Wong expresses concern to her Chinese counterpart over a Chinese naval live-fire drill that disrupted air traffic between Australia and New Zealand without sufficient notice.

May 3, 2025 – Albanese’s Labor government wins a second term in national elections.

As Albanese begins this high-stakes diplomatic mission, his visit is seen as a critical opportunity to stabilize and reshape the complex relationship between Canberra and Beijing, balancing strategic caution with economic pragmatism.