Keating’s China counsel shapes Albo as POLITICO debuts in Canberra

POLITICO launches its Canberra Playbook, expanding its global coverage, and publishes an exclusive excerpt from James Curran’s book revealing Paul Keating coached Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on handling China and U.S. relations—including Xi Jinping prep at Kirribilli House, a recommendation to avoid automatic U.S. alignment over Taiwan, and discreet talking points for use in diplomacy. The piece sits among broader Playbook notes on Australian politics, migration debates, and diplomacy as Canberra navigates Beijing and Washington’s interests.