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Xi Jinping's Tasmania visit is lacking congruity, but full of strategy Xi Jinping's Tasmania visit may seem trivial, but is full of strategy
(about 1 hour later)
Tasmanians are unaccustomed to over-the-top welcomes.Tasmanians are unaccustomed to over-the-top welcomes.
So today’s visit by one of the world’s most powerful political leaders has proven a challenge – in at least one area.So today’s visit by one of the world’s most powerful political leaders has proven a challenge – in at least one area.
Chinese president Xi Jinping’s plane is too big for Hobart’s runway; so two planes will arrive instead to carry him and his entourage.Chinese president Xi Jinping’s plane is too big for Hobart’s runway; so two planes will arrive instead to carry him and his entourage.
Elsewhere signs of calm preparation for the visit are evident across Hobart.Elsewhere signs of calm preparation for the visit are evident across Hobart.
A state-of-the-art Chinese Antarctic icebreaker decorated with red bunting, ribbons and flags is berthed at one wharf, manned by security men in red jackets. An Australian submarine is tied up at another, the whole area an exclusion zone with police divers on standby. Tasman Bridge and CBD road closures are scheduled, there is a luncheon at Government House, a possible trip to the top of Mount Wellington and a viewing of Tasmanian devils.A state-of-the-art Chinese Antarctic icebreaker decorated with red bunting, ribbons and flags is berthed at one wharf, manned by security men in red jackets. An Australian submarine is tied up at another, the whole area an exclusion zone with police divers on standby. Tasman Bridge and CBD road closures are scheduled, there is a luncheon at Government House, a possible trip to the top of Mount Wellington and a viewing of Tasmanian devils.
“We’re well-drilled,” assistant police commissioner Donna Adams told ABC radio in a matter-of-fact interview about traffic arrangements for the visit, which has been two months in the planning. She’s not expecting protests but should there be, they will know what to do. There are regular updates on Tasmania police’s Facebook page.“We’re well-drilled,” assistant police commissioner Donna Adams told ABC radio in a matter-of-fact interview about traffic arrangements for the visit, which has been two months in the planning. She’s not expecting protests but should there be, they will know what to do. There are regular updates on Tasmania police’s Facebook page.
Xi, fresh from making international headlines, is so off-the-scale powerful he seems out of place in this small city. He is chief of the world’s largest economy, visiting Australia’s smallest; the leader of the world’s most populous country visiting this country’s least populated state; leader of a communist state Politburo creating ties with a Liberal premier governing Australia’s most compact parliament.Xi, fresh from making international headlines, is so off-the-scale powerful he seems out of place in this small city. He is chief of the world’s largest economy, visiting Australia’s smallest; the leader of the world’s most populous country visiting this country’s least populated state; leader of a communist state Politburo creating ties with a Liberal premier governing Australia’s most compact parliament.
To this extent, today’s visit might be regarded as a tad incongruous. But the shared history, trade ties and investment agreements make this stop in his itinerary relevant.To this extent, today’s visit might be regarded as a tad incongruous. But the shared history, trade ties and investment agreements make this stop in his itinerary relevant.
Tasmania has been on Xi’s bucket list for a while. On Monday, in his federal parliament address, Xi pointed out he’d visited each and every other state and territory of Australia. Now, with this visit, he mused, perhaps he might get a certificate for visiting them all.Tasmania has been on Xi’s bucket list for a while. On Monday, in his federal parliament address, Xi pointed out he’d visited each and every other state and territory of Australia. Now, with this visit, he mused, perhaps he might get a certificate for visiting them all.
For more than 30 years Tasmania has had a sister state relationship with Fujian province, where Xi was once governor. In 2001 he awarded an honorary citizenship to late Tasmanian premier Jim Bacon, a regular visitor there since his university days.For more than 30 years Tasmania has had a sister state relationship with Fujian province, where Xi was once governor. In 2001 he awarded an honorary citizenship to late Tasmanian premier Jim Bacon, a regular visitor there since his university days.
Premier Will Hodgman has made four agreements with China, including a continuation of the partnership between Hydro Tasmania and Shenhua Group Corporation for a windfarm to test current Chinese technology in the state’s north-west, in addition to one already up and running in the north-east at Musselroe.Premier Will Hodgman has made four agreements with China, including a continuation of the partnership between Hydro Tasmania and Shenhua Group Corporation for a windfarm to test current Chinese technology in the state’s north-west, in addition to one already up and running in the north-east at Musselroe.
The Musselroe location might be considered an example of Xi’s vision for a new type of modern industrialisation: Chinese investment and infrastructure forming partnerships in appropriate territories, embracing shared goals. Musselroe has also successfully acknowledged Indigenous sacred land with the building of the Tebrakunna visitor centre underneath the wind towers.The Musselroe location might be considered an example of Xi’s vision for a new type of modern industrialisation: Chinese investment and infrastructure forming partnerships in appropriate territories, embracing shared goals. Musselroe has also successfully acknowledged Indigenous sacred land with the building of the Tebrakunna visitor centre underneath the wind towers.
While detailing his expansive vision for modern agriculture Xi has also shown a common touch, mentioning a letter he had received from Tasmanian school children. Written in Chinese by pupils from Scotch Oakburn junior school in Launceston, it wooed the president with its depiction of Tasmania’s beautiful scenery, unique produce and peacock feathers found in Cataract Gorge.While detailing his expansive vision for modern agriculture Xi has also shown a common touch, mentioning a letter he had received from Tasmanian school children. Written in Chinese by pupils from Scotch Oakburn junior school in Launceston, it wooed the president with its depiction of Tasmania’s beautiful scenery, unique produce and peacock feathers found in Cataract Gorge.
It is this type of landscape and this type of welcome that has also attracted large numbers of Chinese tourists to Tasmania. Those numbers have more than doubled in the past year, and with Xi’s visit it seems inevitable the trend will continue.It is this type of landscape and this type of welcome that has also attracted large numbers of Chinese tourists to Tasmania. Those numbers have more than doubled in the past year, and with Xi’s visit it seems inevitable the trend will continue.
Meanwhile, the greeting for the Chinese leader appears most effusive: the front page in today’s local paper reads simply: “Welcome Mr President.”Meanwhile, the greeting for the Chinese leader appears most effusive: the front page in today’s local paper reads simply: “Welcome Mr President.”
Although there was one note of caution on local radio this week. A talkback caller mooted a mood which is prevalent among many Tasmanians.Although there was one note of caution on local radio this week. A talkback caller mooted a mood which is prevalent among many Tasmanians.
“We’ve got what they want,” the caller said. “We shouldn’t be rushing into anything too fast.”“We’ve got what they want,” the caller said. “We shouldn’t be rushing into anything too fast.”