China invites Dan Andrews, Bob Carr to military parade

China has invited Daniel Andrews and Bob Carr alongside foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to attend a military parade commemorating 80 years since the end of China’s war with Japan during WWII.

The former Victorian premier and former foreign minister were named on a lengthy list of invitees unveiled by China’s assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei this week.

“At the invitation of the Chinese government, the speakers, deputy prime ministers and high-level representatives from other countries, the heads of international and regional organisations and the former statesmen will also attend the commemoration,” Mr Hong said.

“We have specially extended invitation to the international friends who have contributed to the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression or their families.

“The Chinese nation is a grateful nation that values friendship. We will forever remember their indomitable spirit, their selfless devotion and their noble character.”

The event will include a military parade in Tiananmen Square and a major speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China has invited 26 foreign leaders to attend along with a lengthy list of deputies, representatives from international organisations and former senior leaders.

These include Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto and the leaders of Malaysia, Vietnam and Laos.

Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian is also expected to attend.

Australia will send lower-level Defence and DFAT officials from its embassy in Beijing in line with standard diplomatic practice.

Mr Carr plans to augment his self-funded travel to Beijing to attend the parade with addresses about Australia-China relations at top think tanks in Beijing and Shanghai.

“No one knows better than Western Australians how important the China relationship is,” he told The West.

“Chinese regard their victory in World War II as the biggest event in 100 years of history, and Australia ought to be part of that celebration.

“I think we should be positive and focus on the great progress made in the relationship by the Prime Minister and Penny Wong in recent months… In the small way I can, I want to add to that progress.”

The Government wasn’t consulted about Mr Andrews, Mr Carr, or any other private individual’s plans regarding the parade.

Mr Carr, a leading pro-China voice in Australia, has been critical of Mr Albanese and Senator Wong’s approach to the Middle East and China in the past.

He anticipated spending time in Beijing with former New Zealand prime ministers Helen Clark and John Key and former Japanese leader Yukio Hatoyama, who have also been invited.

“Vladimir Putin is said to be there. Well, in international forums, you don’t always get to choose the most compatible company,” he said.

“When the Prime Minister goes to the United Nations General Assembly in September, he’ll sit down in rooms in which Russia, North Korea and Iran will be represented.”

Mr Andrews’ office was contacted for comment, but did not respond.