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Australia’s PM walks a diplomatic tightrope in dispute over Chinese-controlled port

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The Port of Darwin is leased by Chinese flrm Landbridge. The Australian government wants to end the lease early, a decision that has angered the Chinese government.

The Port of Darwin is leased to the Chinese firm Landbridge Group, and the Australian government is seeking to end the lease early, a move that has angered Beijing.

PHOTO: PORT OF DARWIN OPERATIONS/FACEBOOK

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  • Albanese aims to remove China's Landbridge Group from Darwin Port due to possible espionage concerns, threatening improved Sino-Australian relations.
  • China warns of retaliatory measures to protect its company's interests if Australia forcibly takes back the port, leased until 2114.
  • Analysts predict a commercial solution involving an Australian operator buying the lease, possibly subsidised by Canberra, to avoid further conflict.

AI generated

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, over his four years in office, has

carefully tried to restore ties with China

after years of fraught relations that resulted in Beijing imposing trade sanctions and a diplomatic freeze.

But Mr Albanese now faces the prospect of his diplomatic achievement unravelling as he presses ahead with plans to remove the Port of Darwin in northern Australia

from the control of a Chinese company,

amid apparent concerns about the risk of espionage.

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