Prime Minister Anthony Albanese touched down in Chengdu after departing Beijing, meeting with the hear of the Sichuan provincial committee. He announced the Australian Open's Asia-Pacific wildcard playoffs will take place in the city.

Chengdu

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continued his official visit to China, arriving in Chengdu after departing Beijing. In Chengdu, Albanese held meetings with the Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party's Sichuan Provincial Committee and announced that the city will host the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoffs for the 2026 Australian Open, aiming to strengthen cultural and people-to-people links between Australia and China.

Earlier in his visit, Albanese toured the Great Wall of China, following in the footsteps of former Australian leaders. He highlighted the national interest in maintaining a positive relationship with China and shared details of cultural exchanges during his trip, including a dinner with President Xi where Australian rock music was performed. Albanese is the first Australian Prime Minister to visit this region since the 1980s.

Tennis soft power: Albanese announces major event in Chengdu

Good evening, Ursula, from a very hot western China where the temperature right now feels like 47 degrees. But the heat isn't stopping the Prime Minister as he embarks on his final leg of his tour of China. Anthony Albanese departed Beijing earlier today, touching down here in Chengdu a short time ago before heading straight into more meetings with the Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party's Sichuan Provincial Committee. Then on to the Sichuan International Tennis Centre, meeting with former player John Fitzgerald to announce the city will host the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoffs for the 2026 Australian Open. Improving people-to-people and cultural links between Australia and China. And I can think of no better way than through this sporting engagement. Before that, though, it was an historic day for the PM visiting the Great Wall of China. Anyone happen to be a celebrant here? No. Going to the same area of the wall visited by Gough Whitlam in 1971 when he was opposition leader. It is very clear that it is in our national interest for us to have a positive relationship with China. In an attempt to sing from the same song sheet, Albanese revealed a private band performed Aussie rock hits during his dinner with President Xi. They did it very well, I must say, as well. Powderfinger as well, they did the full kit and caboodle. Mr Albanese is the first Prime Minister in decades to visit this region. The last time a sitting Prime Minister from Australia came here was Bob Hawke in the 1980s.

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