Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has hit back at opposition criticism of his six-day visit to China, pointing out that the former Coalition government failed to hold a single phone call with Beijing for years. Speaking from Chengdu, Albanese said the opposition should sort 'themselves out' before attacking the Labor government.
The prime minister toured Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss trade tensions with the US, Taiwan, and tourism links. He also visited the Great Wall of China and a panda research facility, echoing trips by former leaders Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser.
Opposition finance minister James Paterson criticised the 'indulgent' trip, questioning its 'tangible outcomes'. Paterson told Sky News: 'The appropriate time to do a nostalgic history tour of Labor party mythology is after you retire, in your own time, at your own expense, not on the taxpayer dime.'
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said she was 'disappointed' Albanese did not secure assurances about Chinese military exercises near Australia. 'Friendship is important, but it can't come at the cost of our national interest,' she said.
Albanese defended the trip, noting that images of his visit reach millions of potential tourists in China. 'If James Paterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much,' Albanese said. He added that dialogue is essential to avoid 'misadventure and misinterpretation'.
