Chinese ambassador recalls ‘successful story of friendship and co-operation’

There was goodwill and toasts of friendship at the Chinese ­embassy in Canberra when Xiao Qian hosted a garden party to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Xiao Qian, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, hosted a garden party to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between his country and Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

It was a case of “don’t mention the war” – China’s trade war against Australia, that is.

There was goodwill and toasts of friendship at the Chinese ­embassy in Canberra on Thursday, where Beijing’s envoy Xiao Qian hosted a garden party to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Gone was the “wolf warrior” diplomacy of recent years. In its place, copious evidence of Xi Jinping’s new riding instructions for his diplomats to create a “credible, loveable and respectable” image of China.

“We are two great countries, China and Australia,” Mr Xiao said. “The past five decades have been a successful story of friendship and co-operation. And that co-operation has been mutually beneficial.”

The guests enjoyed Australian red wine – unavailable to Chinese buyers since it was banned by Beijing – along with China’s fiery Moutai liquor.

They snacked on prawns fried with sesame seeds, but not Australian lobster, which also remains off the menu for PRC diners.

No Australian government ministers were present; Foreign Minister Penny Wong hosted an invitation-only reception last month to mark the anniversary.

Instead, the government was represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s chief protocol officer, Ian McConville, and acting deputy secretary Elly Lawson.

Ms Lawson said there had been “challenges” over the past 50 years of bilateral relations, and highlighted the risks posed by “rising geostrategic competition” and Russia‘s “illegal invasion of Ukraine” which China has ­refused to condemn.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade acting deputy secretary Elly Lawson. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Quoting Senator Wong, she said it was necessary at such times “for nations to work together to ensure competition does not ­descend into conflict and chaos”.

“And so we have sought to stabilise the bilateral relationship, upholding our national interests and seeking to navigate our differences wisely,” Ms Lawson said.

There was no mention of China’s ongoing $20bn-a-year in trade sanctions against Australian exports, or the fate of Australians Cheng Lei and Dr Yang Hengjun, who remain detained in China.

That would have been undiplomatic. But Australia continues to lobby China on both issues ­behind closed doors.

The guests viewed a painting of former prime minister Gough Whitlam and chairman Mao Zedong, depicting a conversation during Whitlam’s historic visit to China in 2972. Among them was Nick Whitlam, the son of the former prime minister, who said China had been “demonised” by many in recent years.