Part 10/11:
As Albanese prepares to leave China and return home, questions linger about the purpose and effectiveness of his visit. With critics asserting that the trip appeared more indulgent than strategic, many wonder whether the Prime Minister’s focus on soft diplomacy—dining with Chinese officials, visiting pandas, and taking selfies—adequately addresses the complex regional security environment.
This diplomatic balancing act, seen by many as overly naive, could have repercussions for Australia’s national security and international reputation. With rising Chinese assertiveness and internal human rights crackdowns, critics emphasize that Australia must adopt a more principled and proactive foreign policy—something that seems less evident in Albanese’s recent actions.