By Trendsetter Tribune 
China’s ambassador to Australia has warned that Canberra’s plan to force the sale of the Port of Darwin from Chinese ownership could damage trade relations and trigger a response from Beijing.
Ambassador Xiao Qian criticized the Albanese government’s proposal to remove Chinese company Landbridge from its 99-year lease of the strategic port, arguing the move undermines investor confidence. He noted that Landbridge began turning a profit only recently after years of losses, calling the proposed takeover “not a way to do business.”
The Darwin Port was leased to Landbridge in 2015 for $506 million, a deal that later drew national security concerns despite two government reviews finding no grounds to terminate the agreement. The lease did not require federal approval at the time but prompted tighter foreign investment rules afterward.
Xiao warned that a forced sale could affect Chinese investment and trade with northern Australia, stressing that Beijing has a responsibility to protect the interests of Chinese companies abroad.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the move, saying the port should be returned to Australian ownership and that the lease is no longer in the national interest. China remains Australia’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at more than $300 billion annually.