Albanese's diplomatic balancing act
If there's one thing other countries can learn from Albanese's China approach, it's the line he has used repeatedly since taking office:
"We will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in our national interest."It's more than a slogan — it's a carefully balanced playbook for all sides.
For those in Canberra wary of Beijing's intentions, it says: we won't be naive.
For those in Beijing who remember the volatility of previous Australian governments, it says: we're here to talk, not to fight.
This is what made Albanese's message land. Chinese leadership values consistency. Saying this out loud to Xi Jinping, on Chinese soil, was a display of diplomatic maturity.Few Western leaders manage that. Some hedge, others grandstand. Albanese was direct and it worked.
Why was it effective? Because the message echoes a phrase by Zhou Enlai, China's first premier, who in 1955 at the Bandung Conference, said: "Seek common ground while reserving differences."
It became a cornerstone of China's diplomatic approach to both enemies and neighbours.
Albanese's message, though delivered in democratic terms, resonates with that same logic.
ABC LINK written by Bang Xiao.
loads of criticism of Albanese, mostly unsubstantiated or ludicrous abuse, triggers me to defend. I may have a personal distaste for Albanese as a mediocre option, and despise the ALP for all its worth, but the lack of real criticism urges me to balance.
the damage that Morrison and Dutton did to the economy through their intemperate and impulsive loudmouthings was significant. therefore for Xi to make such statements publicly suggests to me a) we are ripe for plundering, and b) he thinks he can manipulate Albanese. Xi is no fool, but imo Xi thinks Albanese is.
there is the alternative though that Xi is genuinely impressed with Albanese's temperate and modest approach and his willingness to engage in fair dinkum dialogue. not the diplomatic speak but with his own (grating) voice in his own language. no pretence or apparent subterfuge.
reality is often somewhere between extremes of opinion. for all his flaws and irks Albanese is doing a fair job and this visit will likely have tangible results in investment terms.
ps I've not heard it mentioned if they raised the topic of Port Darwin. it was an election promise..... if he doesn't get the nod on selling off the Port, maybe with the Chinese putting forward a bid, I doubt the Port lease will be under threat.
