<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jun/17/chinese-premier-li-qiang-australia-visit-detained-journalist-cheng-lei-signing-ceremony>
"The Australian government has rolled out the welcome mat as China’s premier,
Li Qiang, visited Canberra, but his trip may have been overshadowed by an
apparent attempt by Chinese officials to block the view of the formerly
detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei during a signing ceremony.
The first trip to Australia by a Chinese premier in seven years is the most
striking symbol yet of the easing of tensions in a previously turbulent
relationship.
On Monday the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, strongly backed the need for
“mature” dialogue between the two nations and hailed the progress made so far.
But he gently rebuffed calls from the Chinese government to “shelve” their
differences.
“We won’t always agree – and the points on which we disagree won’t simply
disappear if we leave them in silence,” Albanese said.
The formal events in the nation’s capital began with a ceremonial welcome on
the Parliament House forecourt, including a 19-gun salute and an opportunity
for Li to inspect the guard of honour.
As the Chinese and Australian national anthems were played, Li and Albanese
stood on a podium facing out from Parliament House from where the two leaders
would have had a good view of two distinct groups gathered about 200 metres
away on the lawns.
A patriotic pro-China group included people waving Chinese and Australian flags
in support of the visit, while others, holding Tibetan flags, protested the
visit on human rights grounds.
“Free Tibet” chants from the anti-visit demonstrators could be heard during the
ceremonial welcome; and protesters also held a large sign declaring: “Human
rights, not for sale.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
