Australia aims to reclaim key port amid Chinese warnings
Australia intends to regain control over its northern port, which is currently leased by a Chinese company. Beijing has warned Australia against attempting to take back control. "It's ethically questionable," states the Chinese ambassador.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to bring the Port of Darwin under Australian control. Bloomberg reports that he is considering buying it back, either by finding a new private owner or through direct intervention by the Commonwealth.
This declaration has stirred the Chinese side, as Landbridge obtained the 99-year lease in 2015. According to reports, the Chinese ambassador in Australia has cautioned Canberra to be careful when considering a new lease agreement.
The Chinese embassy stated that the lease for the Darwin port was awarded following a competitive and transparent bidding process. It also highlighted that the company has made substantial investments since acquiring the lease.
Such an enterprise and project deserves encouragement, not punishment. It is ethically questionable to lease the port when it was unprofitable and then seek to reclaim it once it becomes profitable, stated Ambassador Xiao Qian.
Key port
Darwin is Australia's northernmost port, situated on the edge of Southeast Asia.
Bloomberg recalls that it is located near a military training facility used by American Marines, which is why handing it over to a Chinese company provoked criticism from then-U.S. President Obama.
