Storm clouds hang over PM’s China banquet

Lobster exports to China still remain in limbo after a high-profile visit to Australia by the major power’s second-in-charge which has been hailed as “an important milestone” in the bilateral relationship.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Perth on Tuesday after the pair held their annual leaders meeting in Canbera the previous day.

Mr Albanese raised the full range of Australia’s interests during the meeting, including consular, human rights, trade, maritime incidents, regional and multilateral issues. This underlines the vital importance of open dialogue for making progress on our shared interests and managing our differences.

But the lobster trade issue was unresolved.

“Trade remains the cornerstone of our relationship and my government’s steady engagement has resulted in the removal of almost all trade impediments on Australian exports to China, but there is still more work to do,”Mr Albanese said on Tuesday.

“Our renewed engagement is critical to managing our differences and underpins our approach to this important relationship.”

In 2020, China banned minister-to-minister communications with Australia and imposed a series of official and unofficial trade bans on Australian products including beef, barley, coal, wood and wine costing exporters $20bn a year.

Most have resumed, but lobster is one of a handful still banned.

Despite a few issues, Mr Albanese was pleased with the visit.

“Premier Li’s visit is another important step in stabilising Australia’s relationship with China,” Mr Albanese said.

“My government has restored high-level dialogue and engagement with China through our patient, calibrated and deliberate approach.

“Dialogue is key to making progress on areas of shared importance, such as trade, education and climate change—and it allows us to pursue the national interest.”

Speaking to the banquet hall at the Westin in the Perth CBD on Tuesday, Mr Albanese reiterated his gratitude to the Chinese delegation for the promise of two new pandas to Adelaide Zoo.

“My government is pro-panda,” he said.

“And we very much welcome these beautiful ambassadors who will bring joy, particularly to Australian children, for many years to come.”

He also praised the contribution of Chinese Australians to Australia’s multicultural story.

Before the banquet, Premier Li met with WA Tianqi Lithium processing plant at Kwinana Beach before meeting with Mr Albanese at the Kaarta Gar-up lookout, Kings Park.

The visit has yielded signs of improved relations between Australia and China, which languished during the previous Coalition government, with both countries signing memorandums of understanding on economic co-operation and joint education and research efforts.

But the visit has been marred by two diplomatic incidents.

On Monday in Canberra, parts of the Chinese delegation appeared to try and block cameras from filming Sky News journalist Cheng Lei while Mr Albanese signed agreements with the premier.

Speaking with ABC Perth, the prime minister denounced the behaviour from some of the visiting officials.

“There should be no impediments to Australian journalists going about their job and we’ve made that clear to the Chinese Embassy,” Mr Albanese said.

Speaking with Sky News after Monday’s kerfuffle, Ms Lei said the Chinese delegation had gone to “great lengths to block me”.

“I’m only guessing this is to prevent me from saying something or doing something that they think would be a bad look, but that in itself was a bad look,” she said.

Then on Tuesday, Australia’s ambassador to the Philippines publicly rebuked Beijing for what she called a “dangerous” and “illegal” incident in international waters.

The incident involved an alleged clash between Philippine and Chinese boats on Monday in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

Philippine military commander Jay Tarriela said the Chinese navy disrupted a routine rotation and resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal by “ramming” and “towing” Philippine military and coast guard boats.

Writing on social media, Ambassador HK Yu said she shared The Philippines’ “deep concern” over “dangerous and illegal actions by China’s vessels near Second Thomas Shoal, causing injury, damaging Philippines vessels and endangering lives and regional stability”.

“States must act consistently with international law, incl. UNCLOS,” Ms Yu said.

After the banquet, Premier Li will tour a Fortescue research facility before jetting out of the country from Perth airport.