The Prime Minister is en route to China for trade talks and a meeting with President Xi Jinping. He is also being urged to discuss Beijing's dominance in the Indo-Pacific regime and push for an Australian writer to be freed from jail.

Beijing

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has started a six-day visit to China, traveling across three cities with a focus on strengthening ties with Australia's largest trading partner. The Chinese foreign ministry has expressed willingness to use the visit to enhance communication, mutual trust, and practical cooperation.

While major breakthroughs are not anticipated, the visit aims to maintain calm and stable political relations, despite ongoing challenges such as defence issues in the South China Sea and the detention of Australian writer Dr Yang Jun. Trade is expected to dominate discussions, especially as the two countries mark ten years since their free trade agreement. This is Albanese's second visit to China as prime minister.

Anthony Albanese heads to Beijing for diplomatic discussions

On board and bound for China. The Prime Minister kicking off his six-day visit across three cities, starting in Shanghai, Australia's biggest trading partner. From China's foreign ministry earlier this week. China is willing to work with Australia to take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, expand practical cooperation. I don't expect any major breakthroughs, but there doesn't have to be. I mean, the big challenge for Canberra in the China relationship is to keep the politics calm, predictable, and stable. But like any relationship, not everything is perfect, particularly on defence and China's dominance in the South China Sea. In February, Australia accused China of deploying flares just metres from its own aircraft. The coalition wants to see a strong relationship between Australia and China. But that relationship must be won based on respect. And the ongoing detention of Australian writer Dr Yang Jun, who was last year given a suspended death sentence. Well, it is in the best interest of Dr Yang that Mr Albanese advocate at the highest levels for his release. But with this year marking a decade since the free trade agreement between China and Australia, trade is likely to dominate discussions. This is Anthony Albanese's second visit to China as prime minister. And it's safe to assume Donald Trump and his Liberation Day tariffs will be brought up during these talks. Australia and China have different political systems. We have, therefore, different values that are reflected in those political systems. A delicate diplomatic dance for a country stuck between two superpowers. Matthew Karstunen, 10 News.

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