Security, trade in focus as Australia PM Albanese heads to China

11/7/2025 16:11

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leaves for Shanghai on Saturday on an official visit to China where regional security tensions and efforts to grow economic ties are likely to dominate talks.



Australia's exports to China, its largest trading partner, span agriculture and energy but are dominated by iron ore, and Albanese will travel with executives from mining giants Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue and hold business events in three cities over six days.



"The relationship in China means jobs in Australia, it's as simple as that," Albanese told reporters on Friday.



Albanese's second visit to Beijing, where he will meet President Xi Jinping, comes after Canberra stepped up screening of Chinese investment in critical minerals and as U.S. President Donald Trump rattles the global economy with sweeping import tariffs.



Albanese is yet to meet Trump, after scheduled talks at the G7 were cancelled when the U.S. president left early. The United States, Australia's major security ally, is reviewing the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership amid concern selling submarines to Australia could weaken U.S. deterrence to China.