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

News Snapshot:

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...