On December 21, it will be exactly 50 years since a joint communique establishing diplomatic relations between Australia and the People’s Republic of China was signed in Paris by each country’s ambassador. To mark the event, it would be normal practice for a ministerial visit in either direction to occur. China is big on commemorative occasions. It does them well.

As with politicians everywhere, such events primarily have a domestic audience in mind. In China, they are regarded as important to underline the legitimacy of the system and reaffirm to the people that China is an accepted part of the international community. They also confer recognition on and acceptance of the visitor and the country the minister represents.