This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/17/albanese-says-coalition-failed-to-have-call-with-beijing-for-years-as-opposition-criticises-indulgent-china-trip

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Albanese says Coalition failed to have call with Beijing for years as opposition criticises ‘indulgent’ China trip Albanese says Coalition failed to have call with Beijing for years as opposition criticises ‘indulgent’ China trip
(32 minutes later)
James Paterson questioned if the six-day trip had ‘tangible outcomes’ while prime minister retorted, saying opposition should sort ‘themselves out’James Paterson questioned if the six-day trip had ‘tangible outcomes’ while prime minister retorted, saying opposition should sort ‘themselves out’
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
Anthony Albanese has sniped back at the opposition’s criticism of his “indulgent” six-day visit to China, pointing out the former Coalition government failed to hold a single phone call with the major trading partner for years.Anthony Albanese has sniped back at the opposition’s criticism of his “indulgent” six-day visit to China, pointing out the former Coalition government failed to hold a single phone call with the major trading partner for years.
The prime minister has spent this week touring the country with stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu amid a period of geopolitical instability and escalating trade hostilities between US and its trading partners. The prime minister has spent this week touring the country with stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu amid a period of geopolitical instability and escalating trade hostilities between the US and its trading partners.
Albanese met with Chinese president Xi Jinping and premier Li Qiang to discuss a number of issues, including trade tensions with the US, the issue of independence for Taiwan and two-way tourism links. Albanese met with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and the premier, Li Qiang, to discuss a number of issues, including trade tensions with the US, the issue of independence for Taiwan and two-way tourism links.
But the prime minister scheduled time for visits to popular tourist attractions, including the Great Wall of China and a panda research facility, echoing historical trips by former leaders, Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser. But the prime minister scheduled time for visits to popular tourist attractions, including the Great Wall of China and a panda research facility, echoing historical trips by former leaders Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser.
The opposition finance minister, James Paterson, criticised Albanese for the picture-friendly stops, describing them as “indulgent” and questioning whether the trip had achieved “tangible outcomes”.The opposition finance minister, James Paterson, criticised Albanese for the picture-friendly stops, describing them as “indulgent” and questioning whether the trip had achieved “tangible outcomes”.
“I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent,” Paterson told Sky News.“I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent,” Paterson told Sky News.
“The appropriate time to do a nostalgic history tour of Labor Party mythology, is after you retire, in your own time, at your own expense, not on the taxpayer dime.” “The appropriate time to do a nostalgic history tour of Labor party mythology is after you retire, in your own time, at your own expense, not on the taxpayer dime.”
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
While the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, said she wished him well, she said she was “disappointed” Albanese didn’t receive assurances about the Chinese military’s live-fire exercises in international waters between Australia and New Zealand earlier this year.While the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, said she wished him well, she said she was “disappointed” Albanese didn’t receive assurances about the Chinese military’s live-fire exercises in international waters between Australia and New Zealand earlier this year.
“What needs to be a strong and respectful relationship, and respect cuts both ways,” Ley said. It “needs to be a strong and respectful relationship, and respect cuts both ways,” Ley said.
“Friendship is important, but it can’t come at the cost of our national interest. And Australians expect their prime minister to stand up for that national interest in those conversations that he has with world leaders.”“Friendship is important, but it can’t come at the cost of our national interest. And Australians expect their prime minister to stand up for that national interest in those conversations that he has with world leaders.”
Speaking from Chengdu, Albanese said the opposition should sort “themselves out” before attacking the Labor government.Speaking from Chengdu, Albanese said the opposition should sort “themselves out” before attacking the Labor government.
“Those pictures go to 27 million people potentially in Australia, they go to over a billion people in China,” he said.“Those pictures go to 27 million people potentially in Australia, they go to over a billion people in China,” he said.
Sign up to Breaking News Australia
Get the most important news as it breaks
after newsletter promotion
“And those billion people represent people who increasingly are rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia.“And those billion people represent people who increasingly are rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia.
“If James Paterson doesn’t understand that, then he doesn’t understand much. And quite frankly, I think the latter applies.”“If James Paterson doesn’t understand that, then he doesn’t understand much. And quite frankly, I think the latter applies.”
Relations between Australia and China deteriorated in May 2020 under the former Coalition government after the former prime minister Scott Morrison backed an international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 virus.Relations between Australia and China deteriorated in May 2020 under the former Coalition government after the former prime minister Scott Morrison backed an international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 virus.
Australia was hit with trade sanctions on exports to China and frozen out of minister-to-minister dialogues during the two-year period.Australia was hit with trade sanctions on exports to China and frozen out of minister-to-minister dialogues during the two-year period.
While trade and diplomatic relations have improved since Albanese was elected, tensions remain on a series of issues, including the imprisonment of Chinese-Australian academic Yang Hengjun, who was given a suspended death sentence in 2024.While trade and diplomatic relations have improved since Albanese was elected, tensions remain on a series of issues, including the imprisonment of Chinese-Australian academic Yang Hengjun, who was given a suspended death sentence in 2024.
Following his meeting with Xi on Tuesday, Albanese promised “patient, calibrated advocacy” on sensitive issues with China.Following his meeting with Xi on Tuesday, Albanese promised “patient, calibrated advocacy” on sensitive issues with China.
“President Xi Jinping and I agreed dialogue must be at the centre of our relationship,” Albanese said.“President Xi Jinping and I agreed dialogue must be at the centre of our relationship,” Albanese said.
“If you don’t have communication, you can have misadventure and misinterpretation.”“If you don’t have communication, you can have misadventure and misinterpretation.”