CHINA-Albanese Seeks To Tread Fine Diplomatic Line In 4-6 Nov Trip

(MNI) London - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese begins a crucial visit to China on 4 November as he seeks to put Sino-Australian relations on a more even keel. Albanese is expected to attend the opening of the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 5 Nov ahead of talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on 6 November.

• The trip will be the first by an Australian PM to China since Liberal party PM Malcom Turnbull in 2016. Since then relations have steadily deteriorated, reaching a nadir under Albanese's immediate predecessor Scott Morrison amid diplomatic spats over the South China Sea, alleged interference in domestic politics, accusations around the origin of COVID-19, and trade restrictions/tariffs on ~AUD20bn (USD13bn) of Australian agricultural and commodity exports to China.
• Albanese's centre-left Labor gov't has sought to tread a fine line between on one hand improving relations with Canberra's largest trading partner, while at the same time deepening defence and diplomatic ties with the US and its partners exemplified by the AUKUS alliance and the Quad forum.
• The FT notes: "Few observers expect the trip to generate meaningful bilateral developments, though announcements are possible on co-operation in areas such as green energy and climate change alongside a commitment to increasing trade."