Richard Marles’ contentious China trip was praised by Coalition MP

Deputy Labor leader was joined in Beijing in 2019 by Ted O'Brien who wrote a positive testimonial of the study tour

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A Coalition MP praised a now contentious trip to China featuring Labor's deputy leader, Richard Marles, as an invaluable opportunity to have open and candid dialogue".

The Morrison government has attempted to discredit the opposition's claim that the major parties are united on China policy by highlighting Marles' trip to China in 2019 and his speech to a Beijing university. Marles said at the time it would be a profound mistake" to define China as an enemy.