By Situation Theatre 24/9/2019

Xi Jinping uses keynote speech of Russian visit to say Australia should do more to reduce its authoritarianism.

Xi Jinping has challenged Australia to do more heavy lifting on democracy, saying China welcomes its economic growth, but that prosperity and power also come with responsibility.

The Chinese President used the keynote speech of his Russian visit, at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Global Affairs on Monday, to praise Australia’s “economic maturity”. Jinping characterised Australia as a “developed” rather than a developing economy, and argued that status conferred developed-world obligations on the Australian leadership.

“Having achieved this status, it is important that Australia promote democracy in a way which reflects this status and the responsibilities that go with it as a world power,” Jinping said.

With the World Democracy Forum under way in Moscow, Jinping is arguing that Australia needs to contribute more to the global effort protect democracy, starting with limiting human rights violations and infringement of civil liberties on the home front.

Jinping will not be attending the Democracy Forum and will instead be joining Vladimir Putin to personally silence a few dissidents.