Ties warm during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s landmark trip to Australia but dark clouds loom

epa11417006 Chinese Premier Li Qiang (L) shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (R) during a signing ceremony at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, 17 June 2024. Li Qiang, who is second only to President Xi Jinping, is on a four-day visit to Australia. EPA-EFE/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on June 17.

PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Jonathan Pearlman

Follow topic:

SYDNEY – Chinese Premier Li Qiang was greeted on June 17 with a 19-gun salute in Canberra and smiles from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but the warm handshakes were accompanied by hints of looming troubles in the relationship.

Following

their meeting on a frosty morning in the Australian capital,

Mr Albanese and Mr Li – making the first visit to Australia by a Chinese premier in seven years – announced several measures to advance the bilateral relationship, including allowing Australians to access visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

Ties warm during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s landmark trip to Australia but dark clouds loom

Follow topic:

See more on