China has congratulated Anthony Albanese following Labor’s decisive election win, signilling it hopes to strengthen ties with the country amid a trade war with the United States.
‘China stands ready to work with the new Australian government led by Prime Minister Albanese and, under the fundamental guidance provided by the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, continue advancing a more mature, stable, and productive comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia,’ China’s foreign ministry said.
The ministry added this would ‘benefit both nations and peoples’ and contribute to ‘peace and stability in the region and beyond.’
China is Australia’s largest trading partner, and following the election, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government’s top priority would be protecting Australia from the fallout of the US-China trade tensions.
‘The immediate focus is on global economic uncertainty, US and China, and what it means for us,’ Chalmers said.
‘What’s happening, particularly between the US.and China, does cast a dark shadow over the global economy. We need to have the ability, and we will have the ability, to manage that uncertainty.’
Under the former Morrison government, diplomatic ties with China deteriorated sharply after Australia called for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19.
In retaliation, Beijing imposed a range of trade bans on Australian goods, and issued a list of 14 grievances accusing Australia of racism and aligning with a so-called US-led ‘anti-China’ campaign.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets China’s President Xi Jinping in a bilateral meeting during the 2022 G20 summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
But since the change in government in 2022, relations have steadily improved, with many of China’s trade restrictions now lifted.
China will be hoping to continue improving relations with Australia, after President Trump hiked duties on Chinese goods to a staggering 145 per cent.
