Australian media reported that the Australian prime minister plans to visit China for the second time within two years, "this is certainly a good thing."

[Source/Observation Network by Liu Chenghui]

Australia's ABC News disclosed on May 21 that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to visit China again formally later this year. This will be his second official visit to China within two years.

"This is certainly a good thing!" Some Australian experts believe that this visit indicates the normalization of Sino-Australian relations.

Australian media noticed that the news of this visit came at a time when an agreement was reached between the US and China to reduce tariffs within 90 days, providing space for medium-sized countries like Australia to pursue their own trade and diplomatic interests.

ABC reported that Albanese's visit will attend the annual leaders' meeting between China and Australia, which is part of the high-level dialogue between the two countries resuming. The last meeting was held in Canberra in June 2024.

However, Albanese did not disclose the specific date of the meeting.

At the same time, visa policies, economic and trade exchanges, and cultural exchanges between the two countries may also be included in the agenda, with expectations that the agenda will also include discussions on further removing trade barriers and promoting two-way investment.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese Visual China

China has announced a 30-day visa-free policy for Australian citizens until the end of 2025. This measure has already triggered a noticeable increase in interest in tourism and education. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2024, 580,500 Australian residents traveled to China, an increase of 85% compared to 313,200 in the previous year.

ABC pointed out that this trip will be Albanese's second official visit to China as prime minister, making him one of the most frequently invited Australian prime ministers to visit China in history.

During his first term, he made stabilizing relations with China the core of his foreign policy, leading the normalization of Sino-Australian relations after a prolonged diplomatic freeze through the restoration of ministerial dialogues.

The report also mentioned that although Australia was not directly involved in the US-China tariff war, the 90-day moratorium period provided space for medium-sized powers to advance their own trade and diplomatic agendas.

John Fitzgerald, emeritus professor at Swinburne University of Technology, said that this visit indicates the "normalization" of Sino-Australian relations, but Australia still needs to carefully navigate the constantly changing geopolitical landscape in the region.

"This visit is certainly a good thing, and it's returning to what was once normal," Fitzgerald said. "There used to be regular bilateral leader meetings and comprehensive strategic dialogues every year, held alternately in both countries. Now it seems we are returning to that track."

He said that for a long time, Australia was considered to need to balance its economic relationship with China and its security alliance with the United States. However, since Trump returned to the White House, this balance has become less clear.

"Australia still needs to balance various challenges," he said. "Now it's more about finding a balance between economic dependence on China and strengthening security and defense relations with other countries in the region and Europe."

According to Australian media reports, as China is Australia's largest export market, purchasing over 210 billion Australian dollars worth of Australian goods annually (1 Australian dollar is approximately 4.64 Chinese yuan), the reopening of the Chinese market under the Albanese government has brought substantial benefits to key industries.

Recently, the "indiscriminate tariff punches" from the Trump administration have also brought Sino-Australian trade relations closer. On April 28, the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) confirmed that 10 Australian meat companies were recently approved to export lamb and mutton to China for the first time. AMIC introduced that this is the largest expansion of Australian lamb entering the Chinese market in many years, "quite exciting."

The US-China tariff conflict also brought opportunities for Australian beef exports. Statistics from the Australian Meat & Livestock Association (MLA) show that Australian grain-fed beef exports to China have significantly increased. Export volumes to China in February and March exceeded 20,000 tons, surging nearly 40% year-on-year.

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