Albanese Reaffirms Plan to Reclaim Darwin Port from China

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed on Wednesday his government's commitment to reclaiming control of the strategically vital Port of Darwin from a Chinese-owned company, despite warnings from Beijing that it would take measures to protect its interests. The port, leased for 99 years to Landbridge Group in 2015, has drawn scrutiny over national security concerns due to its proximity to a key U.S. defense precinct in the Northern Territory.

The lease agreement, valued at A$506 million, was struck by the Northern Territory government with the Shandong-based firm to boost the region's economy. Landbridge, controlled by Chinese billionaire Ye Cheng, has operated the facility since then, investing in its expansion amid hopes of revitalizing the rural area. However, the deal faced immediate backlash, particularly from the United States, which began rotating Marines through Darwin shortly before the sale and has since expanded joint military bases in northern Australia.

Tensions escalated during last year's federal election campaign, when Albanese pledged to return the port to Australian ownership, either through a private local operator or government acquisition....