Australian PM visits Great Wall, saying it is in Australia’s interest to have a stable relationship with China

On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is visiting China this week, visited the Great Wall in Beijing and said in a post on X that "It was an honour visit the Great Wall of China today. It is in Australia's interest to have a stable relationship with China. Being here to advocate for our national interests directly is critical for maintaining and developing those ties." 

Albanese visited the Great Wall to draw a comparison with former prime minister Gough Whitlam who walked the wall in 1971, opening dialogue with China before Australia's ally the United States had done so. Albanese said on Wednesday that it was in Australia's interest to have a positive relationship with China and not be defined by differences, according to Reuters.