China’s new envoy urges Australia to respect Beijing’s core interests
China’s new ambassador to Australia, Liu Jinsong, has urged Canberra to respect Beijing’s “core interests and major concerns” as he begins his posting amid renewed tensions over security and China’s military activity in the region.
Liu, a veteran diplomat who most recently headed the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Department of Asian Affairs, arrived in Australia on Monday and said the two countries had no fundamental conflicts of interest, despite differences that have repeatedly strained ties.
“Our two countries carry no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest,” Liu said in a statement. “Our economies are highly complementary, our cultures enrich each other, and our prospects for co-operation are bright.”
Liu also acknowledged challenges, saying that “managing differences constructively and aligning expectations will be crucial moving forward.” He praised Australians as having the “same resilient and self-reliant character” as the Chinese and remarked on how “strikingly familiar” Australia felt when he first visited three decades ago.
According to one report, Liu described his appointment as “a duty that fills me with immense honour and a profound sense of responsibility,” adding that “President Xi Jinping has devoted immense care and effort to guiding and steering the course of China-Australia relations.” He said he would “fulfil my duties with unwavering dedication … safeguard China’s national interests … and act as a devoted guardian and promoter of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
The appointment has drawn attention from observers who note Liu’s extensive career across Asia. One report described him as an “American-educated ‘Asia enforcer’” and cited diplomatic sources suggesting the posting “could signal an aggressive shift” in President Xi Jinping’s thinking. However, Australian Institute of International Affairs chief executive Bryce Wakefield cautioned against labeling Liu a “wolf warrior,” describing his background, which includes ambassador to Afghanistan, a senior posting in India, and roles in the Policy Planning Department and Taiwan Affairs Office.
Nathan Attrill of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said Liu’s appointment signals Beijing wants an experienced Asia specialist and that Liu is likely a pragmatic diplomat tasked with preserving ties. Attrill listed challenges including Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Pacific, and foreign interference.
Anonymous diplomatic sources were cited as saying Liu “knows the game in Taiwan, in Hong Kong, in Macao” and called him an “astute negotiator.” Another source described him as an “Asia enforcer” who has “tough conversations,” referencing a video of a Japanese official bowing to Liu.
Liu holds a masters of economics from Tufts University in the US and has a 33-year career in diplomacy.