Source: Global Times
Australia's "The Conversation" website article on July 18, original title: Pragmatic Engagement - Albanese's visit reveals Sino-Australian relations in a turbulent world. Since his re-election as Prime Minister, Albanese has faced an increasingly uncertain world, with Trump casting a shadow over the Australia-US alliance. In this context, Albanese's foreign policy approach reflects a cautious realignment, seeking to balance security partnerships and economic opportunities, especially with Australia's largest trading partner, China. Albanese's visit to China took a highly pragmatic approach to address issues and contradictions in bilateral relations. His visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu symbolize the political, economic, and cultural ties between Australia and China, but their significance goes beyond symbolism.
This is a high-profile diplomatic activity, not just the meeting of both leaders. A large team of important business leaders from Australia's banking, manufacturing, mining, and education sectors accompanied the trip, meeting with their Chinese counterparts to seek more cooperation opportunities. Economic cooperation was the focus of this visit. The deepening of economic cooperation with China has been noted, and there are expectations that cooperation will continue to accelerate under the context of improved bilateral relations. As Lawrence Sein, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, recently said, a closer economic partnership will help comprehensively strengthen the two countries' relationship.
Other experts also believe that improvements in bilateral relations will bring more mutual benefits. China observer Corrins believes that this visit may mark the maturity and greater independence of Australian foreign policy. Albanese attempts to guide Australia-China relations out of differences and toward pragmatic engagement. This diplomatic stance toward China seems to have become a notable feature of his government's second term: strengthening cooperation while quietly addressing differences. Open disputes would undermine the stability of bilateral relations. Both China and Australia recognize that pragmatic rather than ideologically charged approaches are more sustainable ways forward.
In summary, Albanese's visit does not mean a dramatic reset or bold new direction in Sino-Australian relations, but indicates a shift toward a more pragmatic approach. In an increasingly complex and multipolar world, diplomacy based on common interests rather than ideology is not only feasible but also becoming a growing trend globally. (Author: Laura Hood)
Russia's "New Eastern Outlook" July 17 article: Albanese's high-profile visit to Beijing sends a clear message: for Australia, economic pragmatism still takes precedence over ideological or geopolitical alliances. This visit highlights Australia's efforts to seek a delicate balance between its largest trading partner and key strategic ally.
In a changing situation, Australia's challenge is not only to balance Beijing and Washington, but also how to establish autonomy in an increasingly turbulent, distrustful, and great power competitive Indo-Pacific region. Australia's readjustment of its relationship with China did not come out of nowhere, but has received considerable political support domestically. Although Washington portrays China as a "threat," only a small number of people in Australia share this view; most people believe that the Sino-Australian relationship is a complex issue requiring careful management, as it ultimately benefits Australia.
Albanese's visit to China was seen by many observers as a strategic move to revitalize economic relations and possibly pave the way for China to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The core message conveyed by China has remained consistent: China does not see Australia as an opponent, and there is broad space for peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between the two countries.
As long as Washington lacks an effective strategy to reverse China's economic influence in Australia and throughout the Indo-Pacific region, countries like Australia will continue to act in line with national interests. For Australia, stable Sino-Australian relations best serve its trade interests. More and more people realize that Australia's relations with China and the United States do not have to be either-or. For China, this is undoubtedly a major victory. (Author: Salman Sheikh, translated by Xin Bin)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7528556948623606322/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking the [up/down] buttons below.