【Text by Observer Net, Liu Bai】Australian Prime Minister Albanese's second visit to China during his tenure has sparked attention from Australian media regarding potential cooperation between the two countries.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) noted on July 11 that the Australian government has stated it will further cooperate with China in green energy. The report said that for Australia, climate change is one of the government's top priorities, especially at a time when it is striving to fulfill its domestic emissions reduction commitments.

Scholars pointed out that China is an "indispensable partner" for Australia in the field of energy transition. In the past year, Australia's renewable energy capacity was achieved by China in just two days.

"China leads the world by a staggering margin."

During his six-day visit to China, Albanese's itinerary included Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. ABC said this visit comes at a critical moment: as Australia faces an increasingly uncertain response to President Trump's unpredictable "America First" agenda; meanwhile, China is an indispensable economic partner, and despite existing differences, it does not mean Australia can easily distance itself from China.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong previously stated at the ASEAN meeting that China's scale and influence place it at the core of addressing global challenges, whether it be climate change, global public health, international trade, or energy transition.

For Australia, climate change is one of the government's top priorities, especially at a time when it is striving to fulfill its domestic emissions reduction commitments.

The report said that China is the world's largest carbon emitter, but it also invests heavily in developing renewable energy and is now accelerating the decarbonization of industrial production.

On August 15, 2024, aerial photography of the Delingha Molten Salt Tower Solar Thermal Power Station in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai, illuminated by sunlight. Visual China

The Australian government has revealed that during Albanese's visit to China, the two countries may disclose some cooperation in the field of climate change. Albanese said that there is "potential for further cooperation" in green energy.

Caroline Wang, an expert from the think tank "Clean Energy Finance," said that in many areas of the energy transition, China is "leading the world by a staggering margin."

"70% of the world's electric vehicles and 80% of solar panels are produced in China," she said in an interview with ABC. "According to data from May this year, the amount of new renewable energy capacity added in China in two days is equivalent to the entire 2024 of Australia."

She pointed out that this means if Australia wants to achieve its emissions reduction goals and establish green industrial capabilities through the "Future Made in Australia" program, China will be an indispensable partner.

"We need Chinese technology and support from the Chinese industrial manufacturing sector to do this," Wang said. "This is the kind of practical cooperation that other countries have already engaged in, and Australia can learn from it."

Data released by the National Energy Administration shows that in the first five months of this year, China added 196 million kilowatts of photovoltaic (PV) capacity, an increase of 57% compared to the same period last year. The PV installation capacity has historically exceeded 100 million kilowatts, reaching 108 million kilowatts, equivalent to the total capacity of about 48 Three Gorges Dams.

Over 100 million kilowatts of PV capacity can generate 1.2 trillion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity per year, accounting for 12% of China's annual total power generation. It can replace 152 million tons of standard coal and meet the annual electricity needs of nearly 500 million households.

According to a report by the Australian Financial Review, the delegation accompanying the visit to China includes executives from Macquarie Bank and HSBC Australia, as well as mining giants such as Rio Tinto, BHP, and Fortescue.

The Guardian reported that in the past year, bilateral trade between Australia and China approached 31.2 billion Australian dollars. Australia has consistently emphasized that China is its largest trading partner. Under Albanese's initiative, exports of barley, rock lobster, and beef to China have begun to recover.

"Australia-China relations should not be determined by differences."

The BBC reported on the 12th that Albanese's visit to China is an important diplomatic activity since the gradual improvement of Australia-China relations in 2023. Although there are differences in geopolitics, the focus of Albanese's visit will remain on trade and economic cooperation, especially emphasizing the importance of maintaining a stable relationship with China for Australia's employment and economy.

Analysts believe that this visit shows that Australia-China relations are becoming more stable. Although the United States may be unhappy with Australia's closer ties with China, there is widespread domestic support for Albanese's approach, which is considered to be in the national interest.

James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, said, "Both sides recognize the existence of differences and agree that bilateral relations should not be determined by these differences."

He said that the two countries do not seek alliances in geopolitics.

"They need to maintain political stability and constructiveness so that other areas such as business, cultural organizations, and universities can deepen their engagement."

July 12, the Australian Prime Minister Albanese's plane landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Visual China

Laurenceson also pointed out that although Albanese's visit may not be welcomed in Washington, it is generally supported domestically.

He said, "Washington is moving in a direction clearly against Australia's interests, and any leader seen as bowing to Washington will face resistance domestically."

Observers told the BBC that differences over issues like AUKUS will not significantly damage Australia-China relations.

"This is part of the current Australian government's more low-key and mature foreign policy, avoiding the mistakes of mutual accusations in recent years," said Bryce Wakefield, head of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

An earlier survey disclosed by ABC showed that only about one-fifth of Australians view China as a "threat to be dealt with," while two-thirds of respondents believe Australia-China relations are a "complex relationship to be handled."

The report said that China is Australia's largest supplier, and trade between the two countries reduces the cost of living for Australians. A study by Curtin University showed that trade with China increased the average disposable income of Australian households by 2,600 Australian dollars, equivalent to an increase of 4.6% per person.

An increasing number of Australians believe that China is a more reliable trading partner than the United States. Australian Trade Minister Frydenberg previously emphasized that the Albanese government's choices depend on Australia's interests, not "what the U.S. wants or doesn't want." "We don't want to reduce trade with China, we want to increase trade with China."

On July 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference that Albanese's visit coincides with the second decade of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries and the joint efforts of both sides, the China-Australia relationship continues to improve and develop. China is willing to work with Australia to take this visit as an opportunity, strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and promote the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership forward.

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