BEIJING / SYDNEY – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrapped up his six-day China tour, marking a renewal of diplomatic warmth and trade-minded collaboration with key outcomes in tourism promotion, steel decarbonisation, and a fresh review of the decade-old China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).
🤝 High-Level Engagement & Trade Agreement Review
In talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Albanese highlighted the need to update ChAFTA, launching a formal review involving public and industry input aimed at modernising trade in agriculture, mining, and technology
Later at the Australia–China CEO Roundtable, involving mining, agribusiness, education, and tourism leaders, additional memoranda of understanding were signed—reinforcing bilateral cooperation
Australia's committed to a stable relationship with China.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 15, 2025
Across trade, tourism, and climate action, we're working collaboratively with China in Australia's interests.
Yesterday I met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji, because open dialogue is… pic.twitter.com/ini9FULNd2
✈️ Tourism Revival through Trip.com MoU
A key moment came with a Memorandum of Understanding between Tourism Australia and Trip.com, launching a marketing campaign to position Australia as an aspirational destination for Chinese travellers
Australian officials said this push could resume around A$20 billion in tourism flow, boosting jobs across regional hospitality and service sectors
🌱 Green Steel Takes Center Stage
In Shanghai, Albanese hosted a high-impact roundtable featuring BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Hancock Prospecting, and Chinese steel giants to discuss steel decarbonisation. The meeting launched an Australian–Chinese Policy Dialogue on green steel, with the aim of transforming emissions-heavy steel production and creating clean-industry jobs
Albanese underscored the urgency of aligning with Paris Agreement climate goals and noted China produces over half of the world’s steel—emphasising a joint responsibility
Steel made from Australian iron ore is in everything from buildings to bridges in China.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 14, 2025
Creating jobs and boosting both our economies.
We want a sustainable global steel sector while we work to lower emissions.
Today, I’ve brought Australian mining and Chinese steelmaking… pic.twitter.com/8WW8N8Bgz8
🏛️ Navigating Security & Strategic Partnership
During a visit to the Great Wall, Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s impartial foreign investment framework, countering Chinese concerns over market access. He invoked Gough Whitlam’s 1971 visit as precedent—stressing that Australia’s decisions are based on national interest, not geopolitical pressure
Dialogue with China matters. For jobs, our economy and the security of our region. pic.twitter.com/FY893iMVXH
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 17, 2025
While the visit maintained respectful diplomacy, it did not sidestep complex layers: China recently ran naval exercises near the Tasman Sea, and Canberra is monitoring Chinese investment in strategic sectors such as the Port of Darwin. Albanese balanced economic outreach with security assurance, emphasising that “we cooperate where we can, disagree where we must”
