As Anthony Albanese and Xi Jinping meet in China, echoes of the past offer a guide to get back on track

News Snapshot:

Xi Jinping chose an old Chinese proverb about gratitude as he welcomed Anthony Albanese to the Great Hall of the People. "In China we often say, 'when drinking water, one should not forget those who dug the well'." President Xi was expressing his thanks for Gough Whitlam's decision 50 years ago to forge diplomatic ties. In case anyone missed it, this visit marks the anniversary of Whitlam's historic visit. It's been a most convenient memory for both leaders to promote, as they try to move the relationship on from a more painful recent period. Indeed, Albanese went out of his...