Keeping the politics of fear at a distance

Editor's note: Timothy Kerswell is a research fellow at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). He lived in Macao for seven years, working as an assistant professor at the University of Macao. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visit to China has been seen as a significant development in the bilateral relations between China and Australia. His visit is the first by an Australian leader since Malcolm Turnbull in 2016. While some commentators have argued that this marks a new dawn in relations, it's better to see these recent developments as a stabilization rather than an improvement. With Albanese at pains to describe how Australia has different values and a different political system to China, these exchanges are ones of naked self-interest, and thus they are fragile.

Economically, China is an indispensable partner for Australia. Try as it might to diversify its economic relations, Australia has faced nothing but obstacles. A proposed free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union is continuously stalled as European leaders prefer trade barriers over cooperation. Much fanfare was made of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott becoming the special trade envoy to India, but years later, economic relations with India remain a modest part of Australia's economic picture, with limited prospects for growth and little to no investment. With these points in mind, economic issues will likely dominate Albanese's talks with China this week.

Albanese comes to China suffering recent political embarrassment and strong political headwinds. A national referendum guaranteeing constitutional recognition and an advisory voice to