• China's ambassador criticizes Australia's plan to reclaim Darwin Port.
• Landbridge Group holds a 99-year lease on the port since 2015.
• Prime Minister Albanese argues the port should be "in Australian hands."
• Ambassador Xiao Qian claims the plan is ethically questionable.
• Australia's concerns include national security and military cooperation with the US.

China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has sharply criticized the Australian government's intention to regain control of Darwin Port, describing the effort as “questionable.” He emphasized that Landbridge Group, which has a 99-year lease on the port since 2015, should not be punished for its investments and contributions to the local economy. The plan to reclaim the port aligns with national interest concerns, highlighted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who stated that the port should be "in Australian hands," according to Channel News Asia, India Times, and South China Morning Post.

Ambassador Xiao stated that the port lease, which was secured through an open bidding process, should not be abruptly terminated given its profitability now, reiterating that it is ethically wrong to "lease the port when it was unprofitable and then seek to reclaim it once it becomes profitable." Albanese has criticized the previous government for leasing the port to a company with ties to the Chinese government, and during a recent radio interview, he indicated that the government would intervene if no private buyer emerged, as reported by Channel News Asia and India Times.

Xiao urged Australia to foster a transparent business environment for Chinese companies and noted that the diplomatic relationship shows signs of improvement, with recent trade bans being lifted. As Darwin Port serves as a pivotal base for US Marines, concerns about national security have fueled discussions on the port's future amid reports that Landbridge may be facing financial challenges, according to South China Morning Post.