June 18, 2024
Tense clashes between protesters and intimidating media tactics during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to the nation's capital have shattered the friendly facade of Beijing's relations with Australia.
The visit of China's secondin-charge to Canberra yesterday was overshadowed by thuggish treatment of prodemocracy protesters on the lawns of Parliament House and a clumsy attempt to block Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei from the view of news cameras in the building.
Australian officials raised concerns with their Chinese counterparts about Ms Cheng's treatment, but the Opposition said Anthony Albanese should have later called it out publicly.
The Prime Minister hosted Mr Li for the annual ChinaAustralia leaders' meeting where the pair signed updated agreements to strengthen cooperation on trade, climate change, education and cultural exchange.
Outside parliament, protesters from the Hong Kong pro-democracy, Tibet and Uyghur human rights and the Falun Gong movements clashed with Chinese government supporters.
Hundreds of people carrying Chinese and Australian flags welcomed Mr Li to Canberra, which sparked scuffles with protesters who reported having their own signs and flags targeted.
ACT Policing arrested one person for a "breach of the peace" during the protests.
The tense scenes were at odds with the red carpet welcome for Mr Li and his delegation, who stayed for a state lunch attended by Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Australian business leaders.
The situation worsened when two Chinese Embassy something that they think would be a 'bad look,' but that was a bad look," she said.
Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet officials sparked outrage by blocking Ms Cheng from the view of cameras in a room where Mr Albanese and Mr Li were due to give remarks.
Ms Cheng, who now works for Sky News Australia after being released from a Beijing prison in October, said the Chinese officials went to "great lengths" to obscure her.
"I'm guessing that they wanted to prevent me from saying something or doing (PM&C) staff repeatedly asked the Chinese officials to move, but they were ignored.
Ms Cheng later swapped seats with another journalist, and the Chinese officials were physically blocked from standing in front of her again by the Australian staff.
A PM&C official described the behaviour of their Chinese counterparts as the "height of rudeness" and raised the issue with the travelling delegation.
Ms Cheng was jailed in China for three years after being convicted for espionage while she was working for Chinese state TV, an allegation she has denied. Her release in October was secured after intense lobbying from the Albanese Government.
Mr Albanese said he was not aware of the incident at his press conference, but that it was "important that people be allowed to participate fully".
"That's what should happen in this building, or anywhere else in Australia," he said.
Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said it was "completely not credible" for the PM to be unaware of the widely reported exchange, suggesting Mr Albanese was simply attempting to "evade scrutiny".
"We do not body block jourChinese military activity in international waters endangered the lives of Australian Defence Force personnel.
Mr Li said he "sincerely" hoped to work to build a more "mature, stable and fruitful" relationships with Australia.
China's ongoing trade impediments on Australian lobster exports were also raised,with Agriculture Minisnalists from filming in our Parliament House and for Chinese officials to behave this way in our country shows disrespect for our parliament and our customs," Mr Paterson said. "Frankly, I think there should be an apology from the Chinese delegation." Mr Paterson said it was important Australia strategically criticised the Chinese Government. "We shouldn't be cowed into silence," he said.
Speaking after his meeting with Mr Li, Mr Albanese confirmed he directly raised concerns about the ongoing imprisonment and welfare of Chinese-Australian academic Yang Hengjun, who was handed a suspended death sentence in China earlier this year.
Mr Albanese also revealed the countries had agreed to improve "military communication" after two serious incidents where "unprofessional" ter Murray Watt saying he was "hopeful" of a resolution.
Mr Li will today take part in the Australia-China CEO roundtable in Perth with the local diaspora, and also tour Fortescue's hydrogen research and development centre.
Fortescue Metals chief Andrew Forrest said he wanted to show the Asian superpower Australia was "walking the talk" on the green transition.
Mr Forrest said China's desire to reduce pollution around its large cities made a future green ore export industry from Australia a trade "marriage made in heaven".
