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Commentary: Foresight key to success of Turnbull's China trip

Xinhua, April 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Accompanied by a 1,000-strong business delegation, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday kicked off his first official visit to China, which is expected to energize bilateral ties and touch on the issue of the South China Sea.

Thanks to efforts by Beijing and Canberra, the two sides have made strides in various fields in recent years, including the signing of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the 32.9 percent year-on-year surge of Chinese investment in Australia in 2015 and the upgrading of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, among others.

Amid a sluggish recovery of the world economy, some in the Australian media expect Turnbull to seek further ways to benefit from China's consumer-led and service-orientated economy.

China has expectations for Turnbull's visit too. Given the high degree of complementarity between the two economies, China hopes the visit would further invigorate economic ties -- especially where the China-Australia FTA is concerned -- and facilitate further Chinese investment in the country.

As for Turnbull's wrong-headed remarks last month regarding China's legal construction activities in the South China Sea, the visit provides an opportunity for the two sides to clear the air and improve communications.

But prior to his scheduled meetings with Chinese leaders, Turnbull is advised to bear in mind three simple facts.

To begin with, Australia is not a party to the South China Sea dispute. Those who aren't directly involved in the issue should remain impartial.

Secondly, the "freedom of navigation mission" of the United States in the South China Sea is nothing short of muscle flexing. Were Canberra to decide to send warships to the region, it would only serve to raise tensions.

Thirdly, bilateral cooperation should not harm the interests of a third party. Should Australia play the role of the U.S.'s "deputy" in the South China Sea, it could dampen any forward momentum in Aussie-Sino ties.

Underlying Australia's relationship with China are strong political, economic and people-to-people ties. Those ties could be further strengthened during Turnbull's trip as long as he has the necessary foresight to make it happen. The friendship, after all, might be dependent on it. Endi