Question Australian prime minister won’t answer on China visit

Australian PM Anthony Albanese has been put on the spot by journalists in China, where he twice refused to answer a simple question.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has twice refused to say if he “trusts” Chinese President Xi Jingping as the two prepare to meet in Beijing.

Mr Albanese is the first Australian prime minister to set foot on Chinese soil in seven years, marking a thawing in relations between the two countries.

But the meeting comes amid the backdrop of a blunt warning from the United States.

Last week, the US President Joe Biden offered a warning on the Australia-China relationship ahead of the prime minister’s meeting with President Xi Jinping.

He bluntly warned Australia against fully trusting China in front of international television cameras.

“Trust but verify is the phrase,’’ Mr Biden said.

Seven News’ political editor Mark Riley put the Prime Minister on the spot about the warning today in China asking Mr Albanese if he “trusts” President Xi.

A bit of a surprise to bump into PM @AlboMP during a morning walk along the Bund.

Many Shanghainese couldn’t believe how light his security detail was — or that he would talk to passers by as he did.

“This could never happen in China,” one told me https://t.co/zNexXyNG6rpic.twitter.com/9yVjkRPl8V

— Will Glasgow (@wmdglasgow) November 5, 2023

“I am convinced we are building a relationship that constructive,’’ Mr Albanese replied.

“One where we are able to talk with each other directly, and in the discussions I have had with him, the formal discussion, but the other discussions as well, they have been positive and respectful.”

But with a clear answer not forthcoming, Insiders host David Speers tried again.

“Do you trust him?,’’ he said.

For a second time, the Prime Minister praised the Chinese leader but did not directly answer the question.

“Well I have, we have different political systems but the engagement that I have had with China, with President Xi Jinping have been positive,’’ he said.

“They have been constructive. He has never said anything to me that has not been done. And that is a positive weight you have to start off dealing with people.

“But we recognise as well that we come with different political systems. Very different values arising from that and different histories.

“But we deal with each other on face value and we deal with each other representing my job as to represent Australia’s national interests. He is the leader of a different nation with different interests.”

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits the Australian stalls at China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China, Sunday, November 5, 2023. Picture - PMO/X

Over the weekend Mr Albanese demonstrated just how different those systems are when he shocked locals by going for a walk with minimum security.

The Australian’s correspondent Will Glasgow said locals were surprised to see a world leader simply walking around the city.

“A bit of a surprise to bump into the PM during a morning walk along the Bund,’’ he said.

“Many Shanghainese couldn’t believe how light his security detail was — or that he would talk to passers by as he did.

“This could never happen in China,” one told me

Anthony Albanese said he is looking forward to having constructive dialogue with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He also noted former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam’s visit to China after he retraced the former Labor leader’s steps in Beijing.

“The Labor Party does care about our history and Australia cares about our history as well,’’ he said.

“This is commemorating 50 years since prime minister Whitlam came to China to recognise the first visit by an Australian prime minister to China following the recognition between Australia and the People’s Republic of China upon the election of the Whitlam government.

“I think there are promising signs. We’ve already seen. A number of the impediments to trade between two nations removed and an uplift already, substantial uplift in the trade between our two nations.”