Australia Moves to Reclaim Darwin Port from Chinese Control

The Australian government has announced plans to terminate the 99-year lease held by China's Landbridge Group, citing national security concerns and geopolitical pressures.

• Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the government's decision to return Darwin Port to Australian ownership, emphasizing longstanding security concerns.
• The port, leased to the Chinese-controlled Landbridge Group in 2015, has been a point of contention for a decade due to its strategic importance near Asia.
• Both major political parties in Australia have pledged to intervene if a private solution cannot be reached, with the government prepared to use compulsory acquisition powers.
• U.S. officials, including members of the Trump administration, have reportedly raised concerns about the lease, viewing it as a strategic vulnerability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Landbridge Group has stated the port is not for sale, while Australian leaders pursue options to ensure the critical infrastructure remains under domestic control.

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