New Chinese ambassador to Australia signals willingness to repair tense relations
Xiao Qian has described his role as a "noble mission" and "great responsibility" amid heightened tensions and a diplomatic freeze between Canberra and Beijing.
The new Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian (centre). Source: Chinese Embassy in Australia.
China’s new ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has expressed a willingness to repair strained relations between Beijing and Canberra, which he says are at a “critical juncture”.
The apparent olive branch has been extended in a written statement provided to media alongside Mr Xiao’s arrival in Sydney on 26 January to assume the role.
His remarks strike a conciliatory tone, calling to “jointly push the China-Australia relations back to the right track”, but come as relations have descended into a diplomatic freeze amid heightened tensions.
“I see my ambassadorship as a noble mission and, more importantly, a great responsibility,” the statement provided to Chinese and Australian media said.
Mr Xiao replaces former ambassador Cheng Jingye whose tenure had been marked by poignant criticisms made against Canberra’s handling of the relationship.
During Mr Cheng’s leadership, this included the Chinese embassy issuing a list of 14 grievances with Australia, which it claimed were reportedly “poisoning bilateral relations”.
Among the concerns were Australia's foreign investment rules, banning Huawei from Australia's 5G network and the push for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
The extraordinary leaking of the complaints in November 2020, reflected the severe deterioration in diplomatic ties with Canberra, alongside Beijing's refusal to communicate with senior ministers.
Mr Xiao’s statement speaks of the need to “increase engagement and communication, enhance mutual understanding and trust” with the Australian government.
It also calls to “eliminate misunderstanding and suspicion, promote mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation in all areas between the two sides.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Marise Payne said: “The Australian Government welcomes the new Chinese Ambassador-designate to Australia and looks forward to engaging with him.”
Defence Minister Peter Dutton also welcomed Mr Xiao's arrival, but said it didn't change concerns about the relationship.
“I’ve said on many occasions we want a good strong friendly relationship with China,” he told 2GB radio.
“But at the moment China is in conflict - not just with us - where they are cutting off markets and the cyberattacks and the other activities that’s going on.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton, ultra right wing hawk in Conservative Party - very anti migrants and suspected of being a racist. Wikipedia says:
Dutton has been accused of supporting and promoting the white genocide myth. In 2018, amid pressure by the South African Australian community for a special immigration intake for their family members, he declared that Afrikaners required refugee status in Australia because of the high level of violent crime in South Africa and "the horrific circumstances they face" in South Africa.
Dutton has been accused of supporting and promoting the white genocide myth. In 2018, amid pressure by the South African Australian community for a special immigration intake for their family members, he declared that Afrikaners required refugee status in Australia because of the high level of violent crime in South Africa and "the horrific circumstances they face" in South Africa.
BBC News reported that the Suidlanders group's "message of white genocide" had "resonated" with Dutton, prompting him to offer fast-track visas to white South African farmers due to their being "persecuted", claiming they needed help from a "civilised" country. Meanwhile, local media contribution from The Greens leader Richard Di Natale labelled the process of bringing white South African farmers to Australia as thoroughly racist. He also labelled it as a policy that would restore the semblance of policy that was not dissimilar to that enacted under the White Australia.
Peter Dutton is anti-Tamil (Biloela) refugees but unfairly approved visa for European au pairs.
Needless to say, he is Wankee devotee and anti China
"[It's] with many, many other countries, it’s a belligerent approach and it’s unacceptable."
Mr Dutton said he hoped the ambassador was "sincere" in his words, but concerns like "human rights issues", including the treatment of ethnic minority Uyghurs needed to be addressed.
Natasha Kassam, director of public opinion and foreign policy at the Lowy Institute said Mr Xiao's "cautious" remarks indicated a "holding pattern in the relationship," particularly ahead of a federal election.
"I certainly wouldn’t consider the statement to be conciliatory, only an effort to perhaps halt the decline rather than improve," she told SBS News.
"You look at the defence minister’s response to the ambassador’s statement, you can see there is not going to be any thaw in the relationship any time soon."
Mr Dutton said he hoped the ambassador was "sincere" in his words, but concerns like "human rights issues", including the treatment of ethnic minority Uyghurs needed to be addressed.
Natasha Kassam, director of public opinion and foreign policy at the Lowy Institute said Mr Xiao's "cautious" remarks indicated a "holding pattern in the relationship," particularly ahead of a federal election.
"I certainly wouldn’t consider the statement to be conciliatory, only an effort to perhaps halt the decline rather than improve," she told SBS News.
"You look at the defence minister’s response to the ambassador’s statement, you can see there is not going to be any thaw in the relationship any time soon."
Successive Labour Governments have cultivated a servile, sluttish stance toqards towards the People's Republic of China.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the likely winning Labour Government will resume that relationship.
It is wise for China to strike a positive tone towards that likely incoming Administration.