Group 1 - The Chinese company Landbridge Group obtained the lease of Darwin Port through a public bidding process ten years ago, which complies with Australian laws and market rules [2] - Over the past decade, Landbridge Group has made significant investments in the infrastructure, management, and customer resources of Darwin Port, turning it from a loss-making entity to a profitable one, thus contributing positively to the local economy [2] - The lease agreement is a commercial contract, and it is hoped that the Australian government will objectively view the Darwin Port project and honor its contractual commitments [2] Group 2 - The Chinese government maintains a consistent and clear stance on the Ukraine issue, advocating for peace and dialogue, and has never provided lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Darwin Port project, operated by China's Landbridge Group, faces potential government termination and forced takeover in Australia, amidst ongoing political scrutiny and security reviews, raising concerns about the implications for foreign investment and bilateral relations with China [1][2][3][4] Group 1: Investment and Economic Impact - Landbridge Group has significantly improved the operational status of Darwin Port, turning losses into profits and investing over 83 million AUD in upgrades, resulting in a 95.7% increase in total gross tonnage of arriving vessels [1] - The Australian government's previous reviews have consistently found no national security risks associated with the Darwin Port lease, with the 2023 investigation concluding that there is no need to cancel or amend the lease [2][3] Group 2: Political and Diplomatic Context - The scrutiny of Darwin Port is heavily influenced by U.S. concerns, and the political climate in Australia has seen a rise in anti-China sentiment, which could jeopardize the stability of Australia-China relations [2][3] - If the Australian government unilaterally terminates the lease without legal justification, it would send a dangerous signal to global investors about the reliability of Australia's business environment, particularly in sectors requiring long-term investment [3] Group 3: Strategic and Military Considerations - The potential takeover of Darwin Port could symbolize a shift from commercial cooperation to military development, as the U.S. has been increasing its military presence in the region, which may compromise local economic development and public safety [4] - The politicalization of the port's management could undermine Australia's international reputation and strategic autonomy, as it would prioritize external military interests over domestic economic cooperation [4]

Group 1 - The Chinese ambassador emphasized that the lease agreement between the Chinese company Landbridge Group and the Northern Territory government for Darwin Port was obtained through a public bidding process and complies with Australian laws and market rules [1] - Over the past decade, Landbridge Group has made significant investments in maintaining and constructing infrastructure at Darwin Port, optimizing operations, and expanding customer resources, which has positively impacted the port's financial performance and contributed to local economic development [1] - The ambassador highlighted that the lease is a commercial contract and urged the Australian side to objectively view the Darwin Port project, fulfill its contractual commitments, and respect the autonomous decisions made by enterprises based on development needs [1] Group 2 - The relationship between China and Australia is described as a comprehensive strategic partnership, with mutual trust and cooperation being in the common interest of both parties [2] - The ambassador expressed hope that the Australian federal and Northern Territory governments would create a fair, transparent, and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in Australia [2]