Prime Minister Anthony Albanese begin his four-day visit to China today in an effort to improve diplomatic relations.
Mr Albanese says his key focus is restoring Australia's strong relationship with its most significant trade partner, but adds that he's not afraid to disagree on issues such as human rights.
But a lot has changed in that relationship since China's leader Xi Jinping addressed Australia's parliament back in 2014 and struck a vital trade agreement with the Abbott government. This led to the establishment of more than $20 billion in trade tariffs on Australian exports like barley, beef, coal, lobster and wine."What I've said about China is that we'll cooperate where we can and we'll disagree where we must. But we will engage in our national interest. One in four of Australia's export dollars is dependent on the China relationship."
Recently, there have been positive developments with the release of jailed journalist Cheng Lei, who is now back in Australia, but there have been renewed calls for advocacy on behalf of Australian writer Yang Hengjun who is jailed in China. "Front and centre he has to know that Australians expect him to make the strongest possible representations to both the president and the prime minister about Dr Yang who is being held in detention most unfairly. Unauthorised detention, for four years, in a tiny cell, without natural sunlight. A man who is clearly very unwell."
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