Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday that he will visit China starting this weekend, as Beijing seeks to strengthen partnerships in artificial intelligence, green energy, and the digital economy.
“I look forward to going to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, which I will visit from Saturday,” Albanese told reporters in Hobart. He did not give more details about his trip.
The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed that Albanese will be visiting the country from July 12 to 18.
“China is willing to work with Australia to take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and expand practical cooperation,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press conference.
This would be Albanese’s second visit to China as prime minister, after his re-election in May.
Albanese’s first visit to Beijing as prime minister in 2023 broke a seven-year freeze in diplomatic ties, and he emphasised the need for communication with China, despite differences between the two trading partners.
Albanese’s trip comes as China, its largest trading partner, suggested a review of the 10-year-old free trade agreement between the two countries to boost ties in agriculture and mining and explore growth areas in new technologies.
“We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard,” Xiao Qian, the Chinese ambassador to Australia, wrote in The Australian Financial Review on Monday.
When asked if Australia would look to expand the free trade deal with China to include AI, Albanese said: “We will determine our policy”.
Beijing’s Trade Deal Review
China has proposed a comprehensive review of their decade-old free trade agreement to deepen cooperation in traditional sectors like agriculture and mining, while also expanding into emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, green energy, and digital technologies.
The proposal comes amid a broader effort by both countries to stabilise and revitalise their bilateral relationship, which had been strained in recent years over political tensions and trade barriers.
The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), signed in 2015, significantly boosted trade flows by reducing tariffs and improving market access.
However, evolving global economic dynamics and technological advances have prompted both sides to reassess the deal’s relevance and potential for expansion.
Chinese officials have indicated interest in enhancing trade mechanisms to support sustainable growth and meet rising demand in critical sectors.
For Australia, a review could open up greater opportunities for exporters of agricultural products, minerals, and rare earths, while also encouraging deeper partnerships in tech-driven fields.
(With inputs from Reuters and IBNS)
