17 June 2024 - Australia and China renew ties: Visa-free entry, protests, and panda diplomacy
Anthony Albanese lauds 'renewed and revitalised' relationship with China after meeting with Premier Li Qiang
Daniel Jeffrey (9News, 17/06/2024)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia's relationship with China has been "renewed and revitalised" following a meeting with Premier Li Qiang in which the fate of detained pro-democracy writer Yang Hengjun was discussed.
Beijing offers visa-free entry to Australians with defence talks flagged to avoid military clashes
Andrew Greene (ABC News, 17/06/2024)
Australians are being offered visa-free entry to China for visits lasting up to 15 days, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declares relations between both nations have been "renewed and revitalised".
Police accused of 'excessive force' by protester during Chinese premier's visit to parliament
Ewa Staszewska (SBS News, 17/06/2024)
Critics of the Chinese Communist Party have accused Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers of using "unnecessary" force against demonstrators who were protesting against a visit by a Chinese official on the lawns of Parliament House.
Beijing offers pandas as ties with Australia thaw
Lipika Pelham (BBC, 17/06/2024)
China's Premier Li Qiang has offered to send Australia two new pandas during his visit to Adelaide Zoo.
Charming ambassadors with big appetites and universal appeal: China’s long history of ‘panda diplomacy’
Yu Tao (The Conversation, 17/06/2024)
During his visit to the Adelaide Zoo on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced that two “equally beautiful, lively, cute, and younger” pandas would be given to Australia to replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who will return to China later this year after calling Adelaide home for 15 years.