The Coalition has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of prioritizing symbolic gestures over strategic results during his recent visit to China, particularly after his stop at a well-known panda research center in Chengdu.
As part of the final leg of his China trip, Mr Albanese visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, accompanied by a media delegation. While there, he saw Fu Ni — a panda who spent 15 years at Adelaide Zoo before returning to China late last year. Mr Albanese praised her as “a great ambassador for China and a great friend of Australia,” and spent about an hour touring the facility, which plays a central role in China’s efforts to restore panda populations.
Despite the warm optics of the visit, Opposition MPs argue the trip has not delivered meaningful outcomes for Australia. Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash said Mr Albanese should now shift his focus toward strengthening ties with the United States and securing an economic deal that protects Australia from potential U.S. tariffs.
“Where is our trade deal with the United States?” Senator Cash asked during a Sky News interview. “You’ve had your six-day extended visit with our biggest trading partner — now it’s time to prioritize the alliance that underpins our security, with the United States of America.”
She also emphasized that the prime minister must seek a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to solidify bilateral ties.
During his trip, Mr Albanese said he raised Australia’s concerns with President Xi Jinping over Chinese naval live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea earlier this year, noting that the drills were conducted without proper notification. However, he acknowledged that China did not provide any significant reassurances in response.
While the prime minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles both noted that China was acting within its rights under international law, Senator Cash criticized this approach as too accommodating. “Mr Albanese and Mr Marles are not in China to make excuses for the Chinese Communist Party,” she said. “Their job is to make Australia’s stance crystal clear and ensure it is respected.”
Coalition frontbencher James Paterson also voiced concern, calling the visit — which included a trip to the Great Wall — “a little indulgent,” and described China’s lack of engagement on the naval drills as “troubling.”
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