China-Australian ties

There could be no one more qualified to speak about Australian perspectives on China than the country's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

In his first trip to China in the capacity of Australian prime minister, this country, however, is no stranger to him. Rudd served in China as a member of Australia's Foreign Service.

He is a scholar of Chinese history. He speaks Chinese fluently. When he became prime minister, Australia had as its head of government a Chinese expert unrivaled in other world capitals.