Penny Wong claims Liberals’ climate stance helps China in Pacific, as Li Qiang heads to Canberra

Penny Wong says Peter Dutton’s climate plan will strengthen Beijing’s hand in the Pacific, as the PM prepares to welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang to ­Canberra.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Adelaide Zoo on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Penny Wong says Peter Dutton’s plan to ditch the nation’s 2030 climate target will strengthen Beijing’s hand in the “permanent contest” in the Pacific, as Anthony Albanese prepares to welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang to ­Canberra by lauding the contribution of Chinese Australians “to the story of our modern nation”.

Framing the coming election as a battle over climate change with national security implications, the Foreign Minister declared the ­Coalition had “abandoned the field in the Pacific, and others have filled that space”.

“We’re in a state of permanent contest in the Pacific. That’s the ­reality,” she told the ABC, alluding to China’s sustained push for influence across the region.

“I wish there were a rewind ­button (so) we could recover the last 10 years, but we don’t. We have to deal with what we have now, which is a permanent contest in the Pacific.”

China’s No. 2 leader arrived in Adelaide at the weekend declaring the nations’ bilateral relationship was “back on track”, and deploying Beijing’s trademark “panda ­diplomacy”.

He announced the city would get two new giant pandas to replace Adelaide Zoo’s current pair – Wang Wang and Funi – who are to return home in November.

Mr Li said the outgoing pandas had been “ambassadors for ­Australia-China relations” and their replacements would be as “beautiful, lovely and adorable”.

He said the “shelving of differences” between Australia and China had opened the door to “a more mature, stable” relationship, and declared: “China stands ready to work with Australia.”

The Prime Minister will hail the improving ties between Australia and China at a state lunch for Mr Li in Canberra on Monday, paying tribute to the nation’s 1.4 million Chinese Australians “at the heart” of the bilateral relationship.

“What connects our nations today – and will into the future – goes beyond our economic opportunities and the dynamic region we are both part of,” Mr Albanese will say, according to an advance copy of his speech.

“Just as diplomacy and economic co-operation add to our prosperity, our human links add to the connection between our nations.

“The Chinese-Australian community is a powerhouse of inno­vation, creativity and drive. These diverse communities are an important part of the story of our modern nation.”

The government faces criticism from supporters of detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who accused Mr Albanese of prioritising pandas and wine exports over the plight of their friend, who is languishing in a Chinese jail on a suspended death sentence.

“It’s a very weak position,” his friend Chongyi Feng said.

“They should have put Yang’s release as the top priority.”

In a preview of his likely reception in the capital, Mr Li was met by hundreds of shouting protesters in Adelaide, including Uigher and Falun Gong activists and patriotic Chinese who had been called out by community organisations linked to Beijing’s United Front Work Department.

The Australian Federal Police has been preparing for potential clashes, erecting temporary fencing around the parliament and providing separate locations on the parliamentary lawn for the rival groups.

Security preparations have also been under way inside the building, with an unknown number of temporary “burner phones” issued to key government officials amid fears the Chinese delegation could include intelligence operatives.

The Australian has learned those provided with the phones include figures in ministerial offices. Parliamentary staff working on level one of the building have also been told to avoid carrying their phones around several committee rooms that will be used by Chinese officials on the day.

The improved economic relationship between China and Australia will be a key theme of the visit, with Trade Minister Don Farrell declaring that the government had not “kowtowed” to have Beijing’s punitive trade bans removed.

“We’ve continued to represent our national interest and our national security. But what we have done is to stabilise the relationship with our largest trading partner,” Senator Farrell told Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang talks with Penfolds winemaker Peter Gago, left, at Magill Estate winery. Picture: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“That has resulted in … almost $20bn of resumed trade with the Chinese government. In the last month since the bans on wine were removed, we’ve sold $86m worth of new wine into China.”

Responding to Senator Wong’s charge that the Coalition’s climate policies would embolden China in the Pacific, Mr Dutton said the government had “talked a big game on the Pacific prior to the election, but they just haven’t delivered”.

“In government, the Coalition supported our Pacific family and Southeast Asian partners, including through our Covid-19 vaccine assistance, our economic recovery support, our infrastructure initiatives, our security and defence assistance, our labour mobility programs and our recognition of their sovereignty,” he said.

Mr Dutton, who pledged to oppose Labor’s interim 2030 emissions target of 43 per cent, said the government’s priority when setting its climate targets “needs to be the Australian people”.

He will have talks with Mr Li on Monday afternoon but dismissed suggestions he would “shirt-front” him.

Mr Dutton said he was “very happy” to be meeting Mr Li and China was “an incredibly important trading partner … I’d love to see the trading relationship increase two-fold”.

“Equally, as I say, with any partner where we have difficulties … it’s important to raise not just the opportunities but the grievances, or the concerns we have.”