China-Australia relations: Beijing’s new envoy to Canberra Xiao Qian is tough, but no ‘wolf warrior’. Will he make a difference?

New envoy Xiao Qian has extended an olive branch to Canberra. But while some see a subtle shift in China’s tone, others say nothing fundamental has changed

Xiao has experience in three of the four Quad countries and his time in Indonesia leads some to speculate he will leverage Asean to “nudge” ties in a positive direction

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An Australian flag outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 5:00am, 28 Jan 2022Updated: 10:17am, 28 Jan 2022

China’s new ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian may have extended an olive branch by expressing a willingness to repair strained relations between his country and Australia, but the jury is out on whether his appointment will be enough to turn things around.

While some analysts saw Xiao’s appointment as a tactical, though subtle, shift away from China’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy of recent times, others cautioned that big differences between Beijing and Canberra remained.

Xiao, who arrived in Australia on Wednesday, said in an official statement that he looked forward to working with the Australian government and business leaders to ensure that bilateral relations – which have deteriorated precipitously in the past two years – get back on the right track.

Describing ties as being at a “critical juncture”, Xiao said the relationship faced “many difficulties and challenges as well as enormous opportunities and potential”.

“The Chinese side always believes that a sound, steady China-Australia relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and contributes to the prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

Nothing fundamental has changed

Richard McGregor

“As long as both sides adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality, inclusiveness and mutual learning and firmly grasp the right direction of the development, China-Australia relations will keep moving forward and make further progress,” Xiao added.