Is this what the Chinese REALLY think of Anthony Albanese? Read the glowing editorial in China's state-run newspaper
Albanese is currently in the country for a six-day visit, where he has held 'constructive' talks with President Xi Jinping to restore ties between the two nations.
The leaders' in-depth discussion of Chinese-Australian relations on Tuesday was then reviewed in an 'editorial' piece for The Global Times.
The article highlighted how Australia has embraced China's independence and the country's approach to governance.
'As China-Australia relations have continued to improve, the Australian government's understanding of its relationship with China has also deepened,' it said.
'During the meeting on Tuesday, Albanese said that Australia values its relations with China.
'It adheres to the one-China policy and Australia has never sought to decouple from the Chinese economy.'
The Global Times is understood to be a voice of the Chinese Communist Party, run under the direction of the government's People's Daily newspaper.
It has previously been described by international business news company Quartz as 'China's most belligerent tabloid'.
The publication said it is 'best known for its hawkish, insulting editorials (with) aggressive attacks that get it noticed, and quoted, by foreign media around the world as the 'voice' of Beijing'.
But the hawkish tone seemed suitably absent as the editorial team delivered compliment after compliment to Australia.
'Although China-Australia relations have experienced ups and downs, after the storm comes the rainbow,' it said.
'Today's... relationship is like a plane flying in the "stratosphere" after passing through the storm zone, and the most turbulent and bumpy period has passed.'
It also sought to frame the Chinese government as a welcome ally to Australia in the face of Donald Trump's disruptive global tariffs.
'Australia is currently facing tariff pressure from Washington, but the outlook for the development of China-Australia economic and trade relations remains very clear,' it said.
However, key Australian issues prioritised in Canberra - namely the lease of Darwin Port and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement - were only mentioned in passing.
Concerns about cyberattacks have been diminished to a subclause noting 'interference from third parties'.
Albanese's diplomatic tour has clearly appeased The Global Times, even if it has taken a teacherly tone outlining hopes that Australia 'adheres to a mature and correct path' moving forward.
Meanwhile, the visit has caused issues for Australian news outlets who attempted to cover the trip.
A group of journalists and camera crews were filming near the historic Drum Tower landmark in the heart of the Chinese capital on Tuesday when they were confronted by security guards who demanded they stop filming.
The guards blocked the contingent, who were travelling with a diplomatic escort, from leaving as they packed up, telling them they were not allowed to leave and that the police had been called.
Following the altercation, Albanese admitted to reporters: 'China has a different system obviously with the media.'
The Chinese government strictly regulates all forms of media, including news outlets, film, television, and online platforms, ensuring content aligns with the Communist Party's narrative.
Sensitive topics such as human rights abuses, political dissent, Taiwan, Tibet, and the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre are heavily censored or erased altogether.
Online, the 'Great Firewall' blocks access to many foreign websites and social media platforms, while Chinese alternatives are closely monitored and filtered in real time.
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