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Albanese also shared a bear hug with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who began his career in student politics as a firebrand of the left, much like the prime minister.
The Chinese media has lauded the Australian government in recent days, with The China Daily saying Albanese had pursued “strategic autonomy” between the US and China, but the prime minister responded with a message about his support for the US.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon arrive for the APEC gala dinner in Lima.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“I don’t subscribe to China Daily,” Albanese said when asked about the report. “The improvement in trade between Australia and China is about Australian jobs.”
Albanese said he had rebuilt a commercial relationship with China and lifted trade after relations soured under former prime minister Scott Morrison. He argued he was doing this without weakening Australia’s longstanding alliance with the US.
He emphasised that he had cemented the AUKUS agreement with the US and Britain on nuclear-powered submarines after becoming prime minister, overcoming criticism of the pact from within the Labor Party.
“It’s in Australia’s national interest to support and continue to engage with our allies in the United States,” he said. “I’m a strong supporter of AUKUS, I have engaged with my party to ensure that that support is ongoing.”
China’s president Xi Jinping (centre), during a performance at the APEC dinner.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The two-day summit in Lima is shadowed by uncertainty about what Trump will do when he takes office on January 20, while Xi is holding a flurry of one-on-one meetings with regional leaders.
Xi will meet Biden in Lima after the APEC summit ends on the weekend, in their last meeting before the US president steps down. Albanese is expected to speak with Xi when the two attend the G20 summit in Brazil on Monday and Tuesday. Xi is meeting New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday.
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While the Chinese president missed the first day of the summit in Lima, he appeared in the evening for the formal dinner at the presidential palace, with a meal including quinoa, ceviche and Chinese fusion.
Albanese attended the dinner with his fiancée, Jodie Haydon. After three days in Peru, the Australian delegation will head to Brazil for the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
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