During his visit to Adelaide Zoo, China’s Premier Li Qiang announced that China would send Australia two new pandas.
These new pandas are set to replace the zoo’s current residents, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, whom Mr. Li referred to as “friendly messengers of China-Australia relations.”
This visit by Premier Li marks the first trip to Australia by a Chinese leader in seven years, signaling a warming of relations between the two countries.
Both nations view the visit as an opportunity to address unresolved trade and consular issues.
While Wang Wang and Fu Ni will return to China by the end of the year, Premier Li assured that “China will soon provide another pair of pandas that are equally beautiful, lively, cute and younger to the Adelaide Park [Zoo].”
This gesture continues the tradition of panda diplomacy, which has been a part of China’s diplomatic strategy since the Tang Dynasty, from 618 to 907 CE.
China is also aiming to strengthen its influence in the South Pacific, building security and economic ties with island nations that have traditionally been aligned with Australia.
This strategic move has caused tension over the years, with relations reaching a low when former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an international inquiry in 2020 into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in China. In response, Beijing imposed high tariffs on Australian products, including wine.
During his visit, Premier Li was taken to a winery, a subtle reminder of the recently lifted tariffs on Australian wine.
Upon arriving in Adelaide, Mr. Li emphasized a thaw in diplomatic relations, stating: “Mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences and mutually beneficial cooperation” are vital to the relationship.
Although relations have improved since the Labour party came to power in Australia in 2022, issues remain.
These include the removal of remaining trade barriers and the release of Australian democracy blogger Yang Hengjun, who was detained at Guangzhou airport in 2019 and received a suspended death sentence on espionage charges in February.
Premier Li’s visit continues with a meeting in Canberra with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Mr. Albanese is expected to address Mr. Yang’s case.
Mr. Yang’s supporters released a statement on Sunday, urging Prime Minister Albanese to push for Mr. Yang’s release on medical grounds, highlighting his serious, unaddressed medical conditions.
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