China and neighbours can be more friendly to shield Asia from dangerous Trump 2.0
- More countries in the region are rediscovering good neighbourliness and sound diplomacy to hedge against possible return of former US president
Suddenly, China appears to be more friendly to its most powerful neighbours. Well maybe not the Philippines, but that’s a different story.
Has Beijing suddenly rediscovered the virtue of good neighbourliness? Perhaps, but the main motivating factor for all parties concerned is probably the prospect that a certain former troublesome and erratic tenant might move back into the White House. Say what you like about President Joe Biden, he and his team are at least somewhat consistent and predictable.
After nearly a decade, Beijing and Canberra are again using words such as “renew”, “revitalise”, “get back on track” and “evergreen friendship” in their diplomatic exchanges.
Premier Li Qiang’s latest visit to Australia has been mostly positive as he and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to remove trade frictions between the two economies, and calmed their previous mutually hostile rhetoric.
Despite Albanese’s unfortunate faux pas in referring to Li as his late predecessor, Li Keqiang, in a welcome lunch speech, the still living premier seemed to have enjoyed the Australian lobster served as the main dish. The culinary message from his host was none too subtle.
When asked, Li reportedly told Albanese that trade restrictions on some big Australian export items such as wine and seafood could be resolved in a few weeks. And in a significant diplomatic gesture, Beijing has surprised many by offering visa-free entry for Australian passport holders. That’s a big boost for ethnic Chinese living in Australia.