Prime Minister’s historic trip to China

^{MEDIA ALERT} 

^{Experts from La Trobe University are available to discuss Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s historic visit to China.}

^{Professor Nick Bisley}

^{Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of International Relations.}

^{Contact: n.bisley@latrobe.edu.au}                

^{Professor Bisley is an expert in Asia’s international relations, great power politics and Australian foreign and defence policy. He is a member of the advisory board of China Matters, the Council for Security and Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. He regularly contributes to The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal CNN and Time Magazine.}

^{Quotes attributable to Professor Bisley:}

^{“This is a critical visit that is significant not only because it marks the first time the two countries top leaders have met since 2016 but because it is vital to Australia’s interests that it has a functioning and durable political and diplomatic relationship with its biggest trading partner.”}

^{“It is a symbolically important meeting, reflecting the ‘defrosting’ of the relationship, but will also enable the opportunity to push forward key issues, such as the continuing detention of Australia writer Yang Hengjun and wine tariffs.”}

^{Recent commentary from Professor Bisley:}

^{https://theconversation.com/is-china-becoming-a-peacemaker-or-is-it-just-as-aggressive-as-before-201294}

^{https://theconversation.com/as-apec-winds-up-summit-season-brought-successes-but-also-revealed-the-extent-of-global-challenges-193934}

^***

^{Dr Rebecca Strating}

^{Director, La Trobe Asia & Assoc Professor of Politics & International Relations}

^{Contact:  0400 287 758}

^{Bec Strating is an expert Asia and Australia foreign and defence policy. She is the program lead for the DFAT funded ‘Blue Security’ network, a non-visiting fellow at the Royal Australian Navy Seapower Centre. She is a regular contributor to The Conversation, ABC, BBC, Asia News Channel, SCMP, Washington Post among others.}

^{“The trip is important because it signals the further thawing of the relationship between Australia and China over the past 18 months. Trade remains a key issue as this is the area where there continues to mutual complementarity, and the Albanese government recognises the need to return to some sort of normal or stable relationship.”}

^{“But - we need to keep expectations realistic - things will not return to the heights of the 2014 comprehensive strategic partnership. The Albanese government is clear that “China has changed” therefore so too must the relationship.”}

^{“Australia continues to grow closer to Washington, as evidence by AUKUS and 2023 Defence Strategic review. Other partners of Australia are also pursuing diplomacy with China’s leaders, including the US. Ultimately, strategic competition makes diplomacy more, not less, important.”}

^{Recent commentary from Professor Strating:}

^{https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/15/those-worried-about-australias-sovereignty-under-aukus-miss-the-point-that-ship-has-sailed}

^{https://theconversation.com/how-might-the-first-nations-voice-to-parliament-referendum-affect-australias-international-reputation-213764}

^{For interviews with Professor Nick Bisley or Dr Bec Strating contact:}

^{Sue Smethurst}

^{Senior Manager, Media and Communications}

^{La Trobe University}

^{+61 418 643 520}

^{S.Smethurst@latrobe.edu.au}