Chinese ambassador blasts Darwin Port lease plan as 'ethically questionable'
Australia's ambassador to China has fired a warning shot to the Albanese government over its plans to take back the port of Darwin, describing the move as "ethically questionable".
The strategically important northern Australian port has been a hotly debated national security issue since it was leased to Chinese firm Landbridge by the NT government for 99-years in 2015.
During this year's federal election campaign, both Labor and the Coalition made duelling pledges to get the port "back into Australian hands".
Federal Labor has not given a firm indication of exactly how it will do that, but has repeatedly said it has been speaking with Australian firms to possibly take over the lease.
Ambassador Xiao Qian published a statement on his website on Sunday, days after making a trip to Darwin where he said he visited the port and met with staff at Landbridge.
"A decade ago, the Landbridge Group secured the lease for the port of Darwin through an open and transparent bidding process, fully compliant with Australian laws and market principles," he said.
"Over the past 10 years, Landbridge Group has made significant investments in maintaining and building Darwin Port's infrastructure, optimising its operations and management, and expanding its customer sources.
"These efforts have brought remarkable improvements to the port, turning its financial situation from losses to profits and contributing positively to local economic and social development."
Ambassador Qian also called on the Northern Territory and federal governments to "honour its binding commitments" under the contract and "respect the autonomous decisions made by businesses made by development needs".
"Such an enterprise and project deserves encouragement, not punishment.
"It is ethically questionable to lease the port when it was unprofitable and then seek to reclaim it once it becomes profitable."
Members of the previous NT government that leased the port to Landbridge have said the decision was made to lease it after the federal government of the day failed to fund needed infrastructure upgrades.
Federal Labor has not yet given any firm indication when it will move on its election commitment regarding changing ownership of the port.
Last week, MP and special envoy for defence and northern Australia Luke Gosling said he had been meeting with potential buyers.
"We want to make sure that there's a good return on investment for the Chinese owners Landbridge as well," he said.
"We've no interest in blowing this up into anything, or putting a time limit on negotiations.
"The port needs infrastructure development in order to make it more efficient and more effective."
NT Treasurer Bill Yan said his government would work with the Commonwealth in planning for the port's future.
"That will be a federal government matter between them of course and the Chinese Ambassador," he said.
Landbridge has repeatedly said that the port is not for sale.
The company has been contacted for comment.
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