With the Middle East engulfed in conflict and global tensions rising, China’s top diplomat in Canberra has delivered a rare and wide-ranging interview, offering a revealing look at Beijing’s worldview.
In an exclusive sit-down with 60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams, China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, used the platform to restate Beijing’s strategic ambitions, defend its military posture and push back against criticism of China’s regional behaviour.
At the centre of the discussion was a stark assessment of global instability.
“Who knows what’s going to happen by 2030, but it’s our hope that we have the majority of the international (community) work together to maintain a relatively stable global situation of development prosperity.”
While China called for an “immediate stop” to hostilities in the Middle East, Mr Qian acknowledged that wider strategic uncertainty is shaping how Beijing views its own future and the opportunities within it.
Asked about China’s five-year plan, the ambassador pointed to sustained economic expansion and growing defence capability, stating that Beijing’s focus is on strengthening its foundations and moving towards long-term prosperity, including a goal of doubling per capita GDP by 2035.
He also emphasised that China’s military build-up is focused on protecting its territory, borders and “legitimate interests”.
But it was Taiwan that dominated the most sensitive exchanges.
China’s military drills around Taiwan last year, he said, were a “warning” response to US arms sales to the island, not a shift in policy, but a signal of intent.
“It was a warning … a direct response to the largest-ever American arm sales to Taiwan,” Mr Qian said.
He also reaffirmed Beijing’s longstanding position that Taiwan is part of China and insisted the issue is purely “domestic”, rejecting the idea that external powers should intervene.
“China’s position on the question on Taiwan has been clear, consistent,” Mr Qian said.
“There’s only one China, and Taiwan’s part of China. Taiwan is a province of China.”
When pressed on Taiwan’s democratic system and public opinion, he dismissed polling that shows resistance to unification, stating that it does not reflect “the facts”.
“Solving the Taiwan question … is to be decided by the Chinese people,” he said.
He added there was no timetable for reunification but expressing a personal view it should happen “as soon as possible”.
He also pushed back strongly on suggestions China might exploit global distractions, including the Middle East conflict, to move on Taiwan, reiterating that Beijing’s position remains unchanged and centred on what it calls peaceful reunification.
Tensions extended beyond Taiwan, with questions raised about Chinese military activity involving Australian forces in the region, including close encounters between aircraft and naval exercises.
Mr Qian rejected claims of aggression, instead framing China’s actions as demonstrations of its growing capability to defend its interests globally.
He insisted incidents involving Australian and Chinese forces were not aimed at damaging bilateral relations.
“It had nothing to do with China–Australia relations,” he said.
“It’s in the interest of China and Australia to treat each other like partners.”
However, he acknowledged differences in perception between Beijing and Canberra, particularly around military activity in the Indo-Pacific, where both nations are increasingly active.
The ambassador also addressed the strained economic relationship between the two countries, including China’s previous restrictions on Australian exports such as wine, barley and seafood.
While insisting Beijing had not formally imposed sanctions, he attributed trade disruptions to public anger within China at the time.
He said the relationship was now recovering under renewed trade engagement and the China–Australia free trade framework, with key exports returning to the Chinese market.
Despite this stabilisation, Mr Qian expressed frustration at how China is portrayed in Australian media, suggesting misunderstandings continue to cloud the relationship.
“We are two different nations … but it doesn’t mean we are not good because we are not like you.”
The ambassador described the Australia–China relationship as delicate but vital, likening it to a marriage that requires disagreements to be managed privately rather than in public.
“Let’s talk about our differences through diplomatic channels.”
