US EditionAustralia Advances Plan to Reclaim Darwin Port from Chinese Ownership
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in April 2025 that his government plans to force the sale of Darwin Port, aiming to return it to Australian ownership.
- The plan comes amid national interest concerns following Australia's 2015 decision to grant a 99-year lease of the strategically important port to the Chinese firm Landbridge.
- China's ambassador Xiao Qian criticized the plan as ethically questionable, saying the port was leased when unprofitable and now Landbridge should not be punished for investment returns.
- Albanese said the government would intervene and buy the port if no private buyer is found, while Landbridge maintains the port is not for sale despite increased military interest around it.
- The dispute highlights tensions over national security and economic interests as Australia strengthens northern military bases hosting US forces and seeks closer defence cooperation.
34 Articles
34 Articles
China Fights Australia’s Plans to Reclaim Darwin Port Citing U.S. Influence
China is speaking out vehemently opposing plans by the Australian federal government to take back the leased Port of Darwin, terming the move as "ethically questionable." The port has become the latest battleground over Chinese influence through port operations with Chinese officials asserting it is all part of the United States’ efforts and a plan to advance militarization in northern Australia. Fueling the anger are reports in the Australian m…
Beijing warns Canberra over Darwin port takeover from Landbridge, says deal must be honoured
SYDNEY May 26 — China’s ambassador in Australia has condemned a push to block a Chinese company running a strategically important Australian shipping port, calling it “ethically questionable”. The Landbridge group was granted a 99-year lease on the northern port of Darwin in 2015, a widely criticised decision that led to stricter scrutiny of major infrastructure sales. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month said the port should be “in Austra…
‘Ethically questionable’: Chinese ambassador lashes Australian plan to buy back key port
China's ambassador in Australia has condemned a push to block a Chinese company running a strategically important Australian shipping port, calling it "ethically questionable".
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