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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent

Chinese premier’s Australia visit overshadowed by officials’ apparent attempt to block Cheng Lei’s view at event

China's Premier Li Qiang and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stand in front of their respective national flags
Li Qiang’s visit signals a warming relationship with Australia but Monday’s ceremonies were possibly overshadowed by Chinese officials’ reactions to journalist Cheng Lei. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AFP/Getty Images

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.

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