In a significant move to rebuild the strained diplomatic ties between Australia and China, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to embark on a visit to Beijing this weekend. This marks the first Australian leader to visit China in seven years and comes at a crucial time as both countries seek to address the "structural issues plaguing the relationship."

The relationship between Australia and China has been marred by a series of prickly disputes over the past few years, including Chinese sanctions on Australian goods and accusations of foreign interference. However, recent developments have shown potential for a thaw in relations.

Last month, China surprised the international community by releasing Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who had been detained for over three years on national security charges. China has also announced that it will review tariffs on Australian exports, a gesture that signals a potential willingness to improve trade relations.

Australia, on its part, has suspended action at the World Trade Organization against China and approved the Chinese lease of a critical port in Darwin. These steps demonstrate Australia's efforts to establish a more cooperative approach towards China.

Despite these positive developments, analysts remain cautious, stating that the underlying issues between the two nations have not been fully resolved. Both Australia and China continue to vie for influence in the Pacific Islands region, while Australia adjusts its defense posture to counter China's military build-up.

Chinese officials have expressed a desire to enhance the relationship by adding "more meat to the bone," suggesting a willingness to deepen engagement. However, for Australia, this represents the pinnacle of stabilization, as Canberra is cautious about further strengthening ties at this point.

Prime Minister Albanese's visit assumes additional significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's trip to Beijing, which followed the establishment of diplomatic ties. Both leaders emphasized a relationship based on "mutual benefit."

Australia has greatly benefited from its economic ties with China, as the latter's transformation into an economic superpower created substantial demand for Australian exports such as iron ore, coal, and gas. This economic interdependence has allowed Australia to weather global recessions and experience uninterrupted growth for decades.

However, cracks began to appear in 2018 when the Australian government banned Chinese firm Huawei from participating in the country's 5G network rollout, citing security concerns. This move strained relations, along with Australia's criticism of China's crackdown on Hong Kong protesters and calls for an independent investigation into the origins of Covid-19.

The culmination of these tensions was Australia's decision to join the Aukus security pact, widely seen as a long-term commitment to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. Despite this, Prime Minister Albanese's ascent to power in 2022 brought a renewed urgency to repair relations with China.

During his recent state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Albanese expressed the importance of dialogue and understanding between Australia and China. He emphasized the need for guardrails to avoid any potential miscalculations between the two nations and to defuse tensions.

As Prime Minister Albanese sits down with Chinese President Xi Jinping, there will be attention from international actors, especially the United States, to gauge any signs of a softening stance on China. However, with many Australians still viewing China as an emerging military threat, Mr. Albanese faces the challenge of balancing domestic sentiment while pursuing diplomatic rapprochement.

In addition to the efforts to mend diplomatic ties, there are growing calls for the release of Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who has been imprisoned in China on espionage charges since 2019. Supporters of Hengjun are urging Prime Minister Albanese to secure his release, highlighting the moral imperative of addressing human rights concerns alongside diplomatic negotiations.

As Prime Minister Albanese engages in dialogue with Chinese President Xi, the hope is that this visit will serve as a stepping stone towards rebuilding trust and fostering a more stable and cooperative relationship between Australia and China.