China’s new envoy to Australia starts with bus ride
HKFP · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago1 MIN
Summary
Chinese ambassador Liu Jinsong has started his posting in Australia, saying he travelled by public bus from Sydney to Canberra and spoke with fellow passengers on the way. He arrived on Monday and said he felt both honoured by the appointment and keenly aware of its responsibilities.
Key Points
- Liu Jinsong said in an embassy statement that he arrived in Australia on Monday and then took a public bus from Sydney to Canberra.
- He said he spoke with “ordinary Australians” during the trip and that he thoroughly enjoyed the experience on board.
- Liu said China and Australia should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns despite remaining areas of friction.
- He replaces Xiao Qian, whose outspoken and sometimes fiery public interventions often drew attention in Australia.
- Liu previously headed China’s foreign ministry Department of Asian Affairs and took part in high-profile talks with Japanese officials.
Why It Matters
Liu’s low-key arrival and conciliatory language come at a time when Beijing and Canberra are trying to stabilise relations after years of trade and political disputes. For Hong Kong readers, Australia-China ties matter because they shape regional diplomacy, commodity flows and the wider tone of Asia-Pacific relations that affect trade-dependent economies.