China’s ruthlessness writ large

The defenestration of former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, with all references to his seven months as Beijing’s top diplomat expunged from the ministry’s website, is a reminder of the ruthlessness at the heart of Xi Jinping’s communist regime.

The unexplained, old-style communist “disappearance” of Mr Qin, a former ambassador to the US who was said to be a favourite of Mr Xi’s, suggests the need for caution about the timing and expectations of any trip by Anthony Albanese to Beijing.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop was undoubtedly right when, at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, she emphasised the economic and strategic importance of getting our relationship with Beijing “back on track”. Ms Bishop was optimistic about the return as Chinese Foreign Minister of State Counsellor Wang Yi, her counterpart when she was foreign minister. Mr Wang, Ms Bishop said, was a “highly professional diplomat” who understood Australia. Mr Wang is also, however, the person who was foreign minister when Beijing imposed its illegal and ill-judged trade sanctions against Australia. He also headed the Foreign Ministry when China’s crazy “wolf warrior” diplomats were targeting Australia with the most outrageous statements and threats.

His return to the Foreign Ministry is unlikely to signal a return to more sensible diplomacy by Beijing. Neither can the removal of Mr Qin – and the sinister manner in which he was made an “unperson” – be seen as anything other than a clear signal Mr Xi’s despotic regime remains wedded to its belligerent approach.

Any expectations beyond that reality would be misplaced. Certainly, there are sound reasons for the Prime Minister to go to Beijing. But if he does, he must do so with eyes wide open, aware that neither Mr Qin’s treatment nor Mr Wang’s return suggest a more malleable mood at the heart of the regime in Beijing that will make an improvement in bilateral relations easier.