Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s trip to China was the first visit after 7 years at the prime minister’s level. This is considered a sign that relations that are going badly due to trade and security differences have improved. However, many of the problems that cause problems are unresolved. [1]
The fact that Anthony Albanese’s center-left government came to power last year opened a new page in Canberra-Beijing relations. Anthony Albanese went on a three-day visit to on November 4, 2023, to Shanghai and then to Beijing. [2]The Australian Prime Minister also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping here. This visit by Anthony Albanese is planned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Australia’s first trip to China at the prime minister level.[3]
China and Australia have cut off ministerial-level contacts since 2016, and since 2020, trade in products such as coal, wine, meat, barley and lobster has been banned under official and unofficial sanctions. [4] ‘It is in Australia’s interest that it has good relations with China,’ Anthony Albanese said in October of this year. Australia has also deepened its security ties with the United States (USA) and established the AUKUS alliance, including the UK, in this context[5] The Australian Parliament has passed national security laws banning foreign interference, and industrial espionage has been a crime for foreign powers. Then the government banned Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from 5G networks due to security concerns.[6]
The reason China has brought trade barriers is because Australia is demanding an investigation into the outbreak of Covid-19. China has accused Australia and the US of ‘politicalizing’ this issue. [7]
Australia’s efforts to diversify trade with China are obstructed. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell announced the collapse of negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU).
At the same time, Commerce Minister Farrell said that they expect the costs, which his government calls ‘trade barriers’, to drop from $20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion) per year to 1 billion Australian dollars ($643 million) in the near future. [8]
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit has been taking place in a period of high-level contact with China since 2016. During this period, trade sanctions and political tensions between Australia and China increased. However, Anthony Albanese’s visit offers an opportunity for the normalization of relations and the revival of trade.
These relations between China and Australia have become complicated by trade and security issues. While Australia expects the lifting of tariffs for some products from China, it is also deepening security and cooperation with the US. This is a reflection of Australia’s effort to find balance between the two great powers. The country is trying to find a balance between security concerns and maintaining its economic ties.
China wants to improve its political relations with Australia in order to secure its economic relations. Beijing argues that there should be a distinction between security and economic interests.
Australia’s efforts to replace its trade with China with alternative countries seem to have faced some obstacles. In particular, the collapse of free trade agreement negotiations with the EU shows Australia’s difficulties in finding alternative markets.
As a result, Australia-China relations have recently become complex. It is essential to observe a balance between trade and security. Talks on how to achieve this balance are ongoing. Anthony Albanese’s visit could be an important sign of how bilateral relations will develop. However, the solution of these complex issues will require a long-term and meticulous process.
[1] “Anthony Albanese Soon Will be the First Australian Prime Minister in 7 Years to Visit China”, Associated Press News,https://apnews.com/article/china-australia-albanese-xi-9354e5f4da94f8d86399096fb367d66a, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023).
[2] Same page.
[3] “Albanese to Be First Australian Prime Minister to Visit China Since 2016”, Voice of America, https://www.voanews.com/a/albanese-to-be-first-australian-prime-minister-to-visit-china-since-2016/7336683.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023).
[4] “Anthony Albanese Soon Will be the First Australian Prime Minister in 7 Years to Visit China”, ABC News,https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/anthony-albanese-australian-prime-minister-7-years-visit-104595981, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023).
[5] “Anthony Albanese Soon Will be the First Australian Prime Minister in 7 Years to Visit China”, NBC 10 Philadelphia,https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/anthony-albanese-will-become-the-first-australian-pm-to-visit-china-after-7-years/3685781/, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023).
[6] Aynı yer.
[7] Aynı yer.
[8] Aynı yer.
