Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the culmination of a six-day diplomatic tour through Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu.
• The government reports that about $20 billion in Chinese trade barriers on Australian wine, lobster and beef have been removed since late 2023 efforts.
• The Business Council of Australia praised the visit’s focus on business ties and projected boosts to jobs and export growth.
• Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O’Brien criticised the trip for lacking tangible new outcomes and omitting visits to Japan and South Korea, arguing it signalled an imbalanced foreign policy.
• Attorney-General Michelle Rowland affirmed that Australia will maintain its defence commitments under AUKUS while engaging China in the national interest.