Anthony Albanese on China

Anthony Albanese, as Prime Minister, has made stabilizing relations with China a key focus of his international engagement, marking his second official visit to the nation in July 2025. His core position emphasizes that China remains Australia's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly a third of total trade, and that cooperation benefits both peoples. He adheres to a principle of engaging with China where possible, disagreeing where necessary, and consistently pursuing Australia's national interest through direct, high-level dialogue. This includes attending meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and participating in forums like the Australia-China CEO Roundtable to deepen economic ties.

The approach involves a deliberate and patient effort to manage differences while expanding cooperation across sectors such as green energy, trade, and tourism, noting the importance of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. The Prime Minister has committed to maintaining the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence," while also stating that Australia never seeks to decouple its economy from China’s. This strategy of 'cooperate where we can, disagree where we must' reflects an evolution toward pragmatic engagement following a period of strained diplomatic relations, aiming for a more predictable and constructive bilateral relationship.