Chinese officials tried to obstruct the view of journalist Cheng Lei when premier Li Qiang appeared with Anthony Albanese at Parliament House.Chinese officials tried to obstruct the view of journalist Cheng Lei when premier Li Qiang appeared with Anthony Albanese at Parliament House.But there are a few reminders in Chinese premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia and its aftermath that for all the bilateral relationship’s new surface warmth, a chill remains underneath.
Diplomatic protocols counted for nothing. The embassy staff had exactly zero regard for their hosts and didn’t hesitate to try to menace an Australian in her own nation’s parliament. A swag of no doubt significant agreements were signed in the same room – on research, education, economic cooperation and the like – but there was no press conference to interrogate them.isn’t the first country to insist its visiting leader not be subjected to the fourth estate but it does say something about the attitude to accountability.
He said he had raised concerns about foreign interference and human rights, especially the fate of detained Australian Dr Yang Hengjun and other AustraliansOur Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersAs Li leaves Australia on Tuesday night, a seven-member ministerial delegation led by the deputy prime minister and defence minister, Richard Marles, and the foreign minister, Penny Wong, heads to Papua New Guinea.