Part 9/11:
Back home, Albanese’s supporters defend the trip as necessary diplomatic outreach, highlighting his conversations with Chinese officials and efforts to maintain open channels of communication. Nevertheless, opposition figures and analysts warn that this strategy could undermine Australia’s broader strategic interests, especially as regional tensions escalate.
The Australian media, including political cartoonists like Johannes Leak, have depicted Albanese as a “pet panda,” a symbol of meekness and subservience. Such imagery underscores fears that the Prime Minister’s gestures have been perceived as too accommodating, risking Australia's standing among its allies, notably the United States.