Turbulence in Sino-Aussie ties

Recently, Sino-Australian relations experienced some unusual jolts, which cast a shadow on the future development of bilateral ties.

After Kevin Rudd and his Labor Party won the Australian general election in 2007, he has become the first Mandarin-speaking head of government in a Western country. Rudd, who can speak very fluent Mandarin, is all for upholding friendly relations with China. China was the second largest trading partner of Australia in 2008 while Australia was the ninth largest trading partner for China in 2007. China and Australia are highly inter-linked trading partners in many fields, especially in the energy sector. Sino-Australian relations have witnessed an unprecedented period of harmony.