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Andrews controversially signed up Victoria to China\u2019s Belt and Road infrastructure<\/a> initiative. The federal Morrison government ripped up the Belt and Road deal over concerns about foreign interference.<\/p>\n Since leaving politics, Andrews has worked with Andrew Forrest\u2019s firm, Fortescue, and Visy boss Anthony Pratt<\/a>. He has also set up two businesses with his former staffer Marty Mei. In 2020, this masthead reported that Mei had been instrumental<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He will speak at a Chinese Institute of International Relations event and said he would spruik the Albanese government\u2019s policy towards China, which came after years of turbulence under the Morrison government.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Chinese Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Hong Lei said there were international guests invited from all five continents, showing that the international community recognised China\u2019s contribution to ending World War II.<\/p>\n A press conference held by China\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n