Australia news live: Albanese in Chengdu for last leg of China visit; German backpacker leaves hospital after outback ordeal
Date: 2025-07-16T20:55:22.000Z
Title: Albanese to wrap up China visit in Chengdu
Content: Pandas and bionic ears are on Anthony Albanese's agenda as his six-day tour of China reaches its final leg, Australian Associated Press reports.
The prime minister touched down in Chengdu in China's south-west yesterday afternoon, where he announced the Sichuan capital would be given hosting rights to an Australian Open wildcard playoff tournament for a second year running.
In the sweltering 37C heat, the prime minister turned down the offer of a hit on centre court, instead hailing the role of sport in boosting people-to-people and cultural links between Australia and China.
'I know that my dear friend [former professional tennis player] Glenn Busby comes here and coaches and spends a lot of time here each year, and he tells me that China will dominate the sport in the years to come,' he said.
Chengdu, home to 21 million residents, is best known outside China as the home of giant pandas.
Albanese will visit a breeding research centre at the forefront of efforts to save the species from extinction.
As well as a beloved cultural icon, pandas are a central part of China's efforts to exert soft power in the world.
In a meeting with local party secretary Wang Xiaohui, Mr Albanese said pandas 'have been such an important feature' of building positive relations between Australia and China.
He noted the two new pandas who were loaned to Adelaide zoo in 2024, in the most recent example of 'panda diplomacy'.
'I thank this province for our two newest guests who have been so well received,' he said.
But Chengdu has another, arguably more impactful, connection to Australia.
Cochlear, the Australian hearing device company, bases a manufacturing and research plant in the city, which the prime minister will visit today.
More than 50,000 Chinese patients have had hearing loss restored by a Cochlear device, making it one of the company's largest markets.
Update:
Date: 2025-07-16T20:47:29.000Z
Title: German backpacker Carolina Wilga leaves hospital after outback ordeal
Content: A German backpacker who was lost in the Australian outback for 11 nights has been discharged from hospital.
Carolina Wilga hit her head in a car crash and left her car in a 'state of confusion' before going missing in the Western Australian outback.
A desperate search for the 26-year-old began when her family and friends raised the alarm after not hearing from her.
She was discharged from Perth's Fiona Stanley hospital on Wednesday.
More on Wilga's ordeal in the outback here:
Update:
Date: 2025-07-16T20:47:29.000Z
Title: Welcome
Content: Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it'll be Nick Visser to be your news guide.
Anthony Albanese will wrap up his visit to China in Chengdu today. The south-west city of 21 million people is best known for its pandas and spicy Sichuan food, but it is also where Cochlear, the Australian hearing device company, has a manufacturing and research facility, which the prime minister will visit today. More coming up.
The Reserve Bank and economists will be watching today's jobs figures for another clue as to where the economy is headed. It comes after the shock decision by the bank to keep rates steady this month. More on that shortly.
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