Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian to depart after more than four years in role

Xiao Qian is set to leave Canberra after more than four years as China’s Ambassador to Australia.

Xiao, who assumed the role in January 2022, will be leaving the post, The Australian reports. 

A farewell celebration for the diplomat will be held in Canberra in less than a fortnight.

He was China’s fifteenth Ambassador to Australia, having taken over the position following former ambassador Cheng Jingye’s departure in 2021.

In a statement upon his arrival in Canberra in 2022, Xiao said assuming the ambassador role was a “great honour”.

“The development of the China-Australia relations is also at a critical juncture, facing many difficulties and challenges as well as enormous opportunities and potentials,” he said.

“The Chinese side always believes that a sound and steady China-Australia relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and contributes to the prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.”

News of his expected departure comes just weeks after he was accused of publishing a “clumsy piece of propaganda” in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers.

In an opinion piece titled “When will the China-threat paranoia stop?”, Xiao claimed that ASIO and other Western intelligence agencies, as well as the Australian media, have “repeatedly fabricated” concerns about the security threat posed by China.

Xiao, who attended ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess’ speech in June, said the spy boss used his recent annual threat assessment to “cast aspersions on China”, arguing no perpetrator or individual had been held accountable.

However, a video which aired as part of Mr Burgess’ address contained footage of Chinese nationals accused of covertly gathering information on a Canberra Buddhist group to send back to China.

They appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court in February.

Xiao’s piece said such allegations of China spying had “deeply wounded the feelings” of the Chinese people.

Speaking to SkyNews.com.au, the Head of China Investigations and Analysis at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Bethany Allen, said Xiao’s accusation that ASIO was lying was “not a credible claim”.

“It is certainly fair to call Xiao’s piece an example of diplomatic propaganda, and a clumsy piece of propaganda at that,” Ms Allen said.