Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says China ‘confident' as emerging superpower as trip comes to close
The Prime Minister has spent the last five days spruiking Australia's multisector offerings in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu.
In turn, the Chinese have bombarded him with a charm offensive, showing him the sights, treating him to banquets with Communist Party top brass, lavish lunches with business leaders and even a dash of panda diplomacy.
Speaking to media on Thursday from Chengdu's Anshun Bridge, Mr Albanese was asked how he would describe China's mood as it ascends to 'superpower' status.
'China sees itself as confident going forward,' he replied.
Against a backdrop of central Chengdu's towering skyline, he went on to praise China's rapid development, specifically his host city's 'innovative architecture'.
'Quite clearly new, dynamic and creative,' Mr Albanese said.
The comments were in line with his efforts to frame the Australia-China relationship in friendlier terms as both countries navigate an unpredictable White House.
In the past decade, the relationship has been marred by a trade war and an ongoing battle for influence in the region.
It has also taken an increasingly militaristic nature as China rapidly builds up its arsenals of conventional and nuclear weapons amid warnings Xi Jinping is eyeing an invasion of Taiwan.
Mr Albanese has said he raised those concerns with the Chinese President when they met in Beijing earlier this week.
Despite their thorny nature, he emerged from the talks positive that peace through trade and people-to-people ties was possible.
Though, asked on Thursday if he regarded Mr Xi a 'friend', Mr Albanese had plenty of nice things to say but held off using that word.
'I regard the relationship with President Xi as warm and engaging,' Mr Albanese said.
'We have had four bilateral meetings, but have also engaged other times as well, on an informal basis.
'That's a positive thing.'
He added that Mr Xi 'sent a very warm message of congratulations' after Labor's landslide federal election win in May.
Mr Albanese finished up is official engagements on Thursday afternoon with a visit to a Cochlear factory in Chengdu, shining a spotlight on Australian med tech in the research hub.
It came after he had a lunch with leaders in the space.
He will fly back to Australia on Friday.
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