Li Qiang to Australia as relations move from freeze to thaw

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is visiting Australia from June 15 to 18.

It is the first visit to Australia by a Chinese premier in seven years, and signals a further thawing of the once-frosty relations between the two countries.

The premier leads the State Council and is ranked second in the seven-member governing Politburo. Only President Xi Jinping, as the head of the Chinese Community Party, outranks him.

In the same way as both our head of government (prime minister) and head of state (governor-general) are active in international diplomacy, both Li and Xi conduct international visits.

In recent months, the premier has attended the G20, World Economic Forum and a trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea. Previous premier Li Keqiang visited Australia in 2017.

An official visit at this level requires the utmost in diplomatic niceties. Formally, it returns the visit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made to China late last year.

What will the premier be doing?

In Canberra, the focus will be on set pieces befitting the visit of a leader of a a major world power (although I assume nothing we do will top Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting Albanese for a pre-cricket lap of honor in a golden chariot).

There will be a full ceremonial welcome, including a military display and visit to Governor-General David Hurley. This is the protocol and symbolism due any official visit.

On the political side, the premier will co-chair the ninth China-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting. Xi addressed parliament in 2014 (followed the next day by Modi – echoing the memorable occasion in 2003 when US President George W Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao gave speeches within a day of each other).

Xi has famously visited all Australian