China’s new ambassador delivers a warning to Australia amid ongoing tensions
China's newly arrived ambassador to Australia, Liu Jinsong, has told the Albanese government to respect Beijing's "core interests and major concerns", a phrase China typically uses in relation to Taiwan and sovereignty. The comments come at a delicate moment for the bilateral relationship, with unresolved tensions over Chinese military activity in the Indo-Pacific, a missile test in the Pacific in July, and the contested future of Darwin Port, which is leased to Chinese-owned Landbridge.
Liu, a veteran diplomat who previously spent five years overseeing Asian affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, landed in Sydney and travelled to Canberra by bus before appearing publicly alongside two leaders of Chinese "peaceful reunification" groups linked to the Communist Party's United Front network, a meeting later publicised by the Chinese embassy. Despite the pointed remarks, he also stressed the strength of the relationship, noting the countries have "no historical grievances" and complementary economies. Ties had soured sharply under former prime minister Scott Morrison amid trade bans on Australian coal, barley and wine, but have since improved under Anthony Albanese, with Beijing lifting roughly $20 billion in trade restrictions and high-level dialogue resuming.
- New Chinese ambassador urges Australia to respect Beijing's "core interests"
- Comes amid tensions over military activity and Darwin Port's future
- Follows a thaw in ties since Albanese became prime minister in 2022
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Australia and China are major trading partners, but their governments disagree on security and sovereignty issues, including Taiwan and military activity in the Indo-Pacific. China uses the phrase “core interests” for issues it considers especially important to its sovereignty.
The relationship also involves practical economic links and political concerns. A Chinese-owned company leases Darwin Port, and the lease’s future is contested in Australia.
Relations worsened in recent years after China imposed trade restrictions on Australian goods, then began to improve after Anthony Albanese became prime minister. Trade restrictions have been lifted and senior-level talks resumed, while disagreements over security and other matters remain.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Australia's economy fundamentally depends on the bilateral relationship with China, as demonstrated by the recent lifting of $20 billion in trade restrictions. The countries share complementary economic interests and no historical conflicts; treating Beijing's security concerns as legitimate is pragmatic engagement rather than capitulation. Australia's capacity to contest China militarily is limited, and confrontation would invite further economic retaliation whilst reducing Australian diplomatic influence in regional affairs.
The case against
Australia should not subordinate its security and regional interests to Beijing's vaguely defined demands that have historically expanded in scope. Taiwan is a functioning democracy entitled to autonomy; acknowledging Chinese core interests here risks endorsing expansionist precedents. Australia's legitimate concerns about military activity and infrastructure vulnerabilities reflect shared regional stability interests with democratic partners and cannot be dismissed; short-term trade benefits, which have been withdrawn before, should not permanently compromise Australia's strategic independence.