THE SQUIZ

Xiao Qian, China’s ambassador to Australia, says with the election of the Albanese Government, “there is an opportunity for a possible reset of relationship” between our nations. And when it comes to our ongoing trade dispute over China’s blackbanning of Australian wine, barley, lobsters and more, his nation is ready to move on “if the new government in this country is ready,” he said in his address to the National Press Club yesterday. Xiao added that 22 December was a good date to note – it’s the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Australia. “I think it’s perfect time for our two countries to review the past, look into the future, take concrete actions in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefits.” But there is one issue where there can be no give/take, and that’s Taiwan. 

SURPRISE, SURPRISE… 

True. On that point Xiao said China has been “waiting for a peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province – but it could use other means if necessary. “As to what does it mean ‘all necessary means?’ You can use your imagination,” he said. China blames the US and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the escalation of tensions and the just concluded military drills that have simulated an attack on the island. He added that if nations were concerned about peace in the region, they would “put their ‘One China’ policy into practice with sincerity, with no compromise”. Likening Taiwan to Tassie as far as mainland Australia is concerned – “not a good example,” he said… – he asked the Aussie media to see the situation as one of “territorial integrity” and stop using words like “invasion”. “Media coverage of China is, at many times, misleading and harms friendship between the 2 peoples,” he said. 

RIGHT. SO WHERE TO FROM HERE? 

It’s not simple… Acting PM Richard Marles yesterday dismissed China’s accusations that Australia’s undermining regional peace and stability by meddling in its affairs and having views on its operations in the Taiwan Strait. And he said diplomacy might only do so much because there are some things China wants that we won’t be able to stomach. “We can only control our end of this equation. But we will always be speaking up for the national interest,” Marles said. Feng Chongyi, a China expert from the University of Technology Sydney, said despite Xiao’s words about a relationship reset, we might not see much progress even with new faces at the top of our government. “The policy of the previous Australian government was a bipartisan consensus, a fact the Ambassador ignored,” he said. Oh, and if you picked up that PM Anthony Albanese’s not on deck, you’re right – he’s on hols.