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China’s Premier Li Qiang has supplied to ship Australia two new pandas, throughout his go to to Adelaide Zoo.<\/p>\n
Mr Li’s arrival in Australia on a four-day journey is the primary by a Chinese language chief in seven years, which analysts say marks the return of “panda diplomacy”.<\/p>\n
The brand new pandas will substitute the zoos current pandas, named Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who’re “pleasant messengers of China-Australia relations,” Mr Li Mentioned. <\/p>\n
Each China and Australia will see the go to as central to addressing excellent commerce and consular points between the 2 nations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mr Li stated whereas Wang Wang and Fu Ni would return to their hometown by the tip of the 12 months, he promised that “China will quickly present one other pair of pandas which might be equally stunning, full of life, cute and youthful to the Adelaide Park [Zoo].<\/p>\n
“We are going to proceed cooperating by way of big pandas between China and Australia”, he added.<\/p>\n
A observe that dates again so far as the Tang Dynasty, which dominated from 618 by way of 907 CE, panda diplomacy \u2013 or sending pandas as diplomatic presents \u2013 seems to be in play as soon as once more in 2024.<\/p>\n
China is in search of to extend its affect within the South Pacific, increasing safety and financial ties with island states which might be traditionally allied with Australia. <\/p>\n
This has been some extent of stress between the nations for years, however bilateral relations hit the bottom level when the previous Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison referred to as for a global inquiry in 2020 into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in China.<\/p>\n
Beijing’s reply was to impose excessive tariffs, together with on Australian wine. <\/p>\n
Mr Li’s Australian hosts additionally took him to a vineyard throughout his go to – an obvious reminder that Beijing has solely not too long ago lifted tariffs on Australian wine.<\/p>\n
On his arrival in Adelaide on Saturday, Mr Li heralded a thaw within the diplomatic rift with the previous conservative authorities.<\/p>\n
He stated: “Mutual respect, in search of widespread floor whereas shelving variations and mutually useful cooperation” are key to the connection.<\/p>\n
However whereas ties between the international locations appear to be bettering for the reason that Labour social gathering took energy in Australia in 2022, variations nonetheless stay. <\/p>\n
They embrace the removing of the remaining commerce obstacles and the discharge of imprisoned Australian democracy blogger Yang Hengjuno, who was arrested at Guangzhou airport in 2019.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Mr Li might be in Canberra for a gathering with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. <\/p>\n
Mr Albanese is predicted to carry up the case of Mr Yang, who was given a suspended dying sentence on espionage fees in February.<\/p>\n
As Mr Li engages in commerce and panda diplomacy in Australia, Mr Yang’s supporters launched a press release on Sunday, saying Beijing’s Excessive Court docket had reviewed and upheld the decrease court docket’s sentence.<\/p>\n
“Our most quick concern is that Yang’s medical circumstances stay severe and unaddressed […] we urge Prime Minister Albanese to make use of his assembly with Premier Li Qiang to straight demand that Yang be launched on medical parole”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n