Darwin Port not raised in meeting between Albanese and Xi in Beijing

Anthony Albanese did not raise concerns about the Darwin Port lease at his meeting with the Chinese President, amid threats that China may retaliate if Australia moves to tear up the contract.

Anthony Albanese did not raise concerns about the Darwin Port lease at his meeting with the Chinese President, amid threats that China may retaliate if Australia moves to tear up the contract.

During his visit to Beijing this week the Prime Minister has stood firm on his election commitment to return the port to Australian hands.

Currently the strategically located Darwin asset is controlled by Chinese firm Landbridge on a 99-year lease.

Lu Wenxing, a Chinese social media influencer and the former editor of propaganda outlet Voice of the Strait, published a pointed essay during Mr Albanese’s visit, warning a forced sale could result in economic countermeasures from China.

“The Chinese side has made it clear that it will not accept any unilateral breach of contract, but at the same time it has shown an open and co-operative attitude,” Mr Lu said, as translated by the Australian.

“If the Australian side insists on tearing up the lease agreement, the Chinese side may take countermeasures, such as restricting Australian companies’ market access in China or tightening imports of key resources such as iron ore.”

China is the Northern Territory’s second largest export partner, worth $2.2bn annually.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, shakes hands with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prior to their bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Huang Jingwen/Xinhua via AP)

Mr Albanese told reporters he was not aware of Mr Lu’s commentary and was not concerned about potential blowback from intervening at the port.

“We had a very clear position that we want the port to go into Australian ownership,” he said.

“We’ve been clear about it, we’ve been orderly about it, and we will go through that process.

“Governments cannot respond in policy terms to every time there is an article written, a tweet or a blog, and change their position. Good government has a position, advocates for it and implements it – and mine is a good government.”

Mr Albanese met with President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, including a private lunch between the leaders.

Despite expectations the port might be discussed, Mr Albanese confirmed “it wasn’t raised”.

“Our position is very clear, I’m sure the President is very clear and is knowledgeable of that,” he said.

Darwin Port was leased for 99 years by Landbridge in 2015. Picture: Che Chorley

Details of the government’s plan or timeline to return the port to Australian hands continue to remain unclear.

In May it was reported that New York-based Cerberus Capital Management was poised to make a formal offer for the asset, of more than the $506 million Landbridge paid in 2015, but well short of the $1.3 billion attributed to Landbridge to offload the asset.

NT Logistics and Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan said the Territory government was working with Canberra to bring the Darwin Port back into Australian hands.

“And we’re making sure local investors and businesses are at the table if ownership changes,” he said.

Landbridge was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Darwin Port not raised in meeting between Albanese and Xi in Beijing