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Andrews controversially signed up Victoria to China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. The federal Morrison government ripped up the Belt and Road deal over concerns about foreign interference.
Since leaving politics, Andrews has worked with Andrew Forrest’s firm, Fortescue, and Visy boss Anthony Pratt. He has also set up two businesses with his former staffer Marty Mei. In 2020, this masthead reported that Mei had been instrumental in landing a $100,000 donation to the Victorian Labor Party through a key Chinese business group years before Victoria signed up to the Belt and Road scheme.
Carr, a former foreign minister, is a leading advocate for warmer relations with China and previously headed up the Australia-China Relations Institute. He had another trip to China earlier this year.
He will speak at a Chinese Institute of International Relations event and said he would spruik the Albanese government’s policy towards China, which came after years of turbulence under the Morrison government.
“I’ll be reflecting the success of Australia-China relations under the Albanese government and making reference to speeches from the prime minister and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.”
Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama and former New Zealand prime ministers Helen Clark and John Key were also included on the list of attendees.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Hong Lei said there were international guests invited from all five continents, showing that the international community recognised China’s contribution to ending World War II.
A press conference held by China’s State Council and the Central Military Commission on August 20 revealed China would unveil new weapons and equipment during the parade, including tanks, carrier-based aircraft and fighter jets.
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