Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia a ‘big gift pack’ for Anthony Albanese’s federal election campaign

When Chinese Premier Li Qiang inscribed his message in the visitor’s book at Parliament House, he emphasised “the friendship between China and Australia is evergreen”. The statement marked a significant shift because it was the first time in nearly a decade that a Chinese official had openly described the bilateral relationship as a “friendship” — a word Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned as he walked off the aeroplane in Beijing last year. Despite a minor diplomatic faux pas where Albanese mistakenly referred to Li as his deceased predecessor — Li Keqiang — the overall tone of the visit was overwhelmingly…