WORLD

Canberra Reasserts Intent to Retake Darwin Port From Chinese Operator

Published: Jan. 31, 2026 3:14 a.m. GMT+8

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Darwin Port, Australia.

The Australian government has reaffirmed its intention to reclaim control of the Port of Darwin from a Chinese operator, escalating tensions over a strategic maritime asset critical to both Canberra and Washington’s Indo-Pacific security posture.

Speaking Wednesday during a visit to East Timor, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his administration is committed to taking back the port, currently leased to a Chinese firm. “We are committed to making sure that that port goes back into Australian hands because that is in our national interest,” Albanese said.

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The Australian government plans to reclaim the Port of Darwin, currently under a 99-year lease with Chinese company Landbridge, citing national interest and security concerns.
Landbridge reported a net profit of A$9.6 million in the year ending June 2025, after a previous A$37 million loss, handling nearly 4 million tons of cargo.
China warned that ending the lease could harm bilateral ties; legal and compensation hurdles complicate lease termination.

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Who’s Who

Landbridge Group: Landbridge Group, a private Chinese company headquartered in Shandong province, holds a 99-year lease on the Port of Darwin. Awarded in 2015, the company operates the port through a local subsidiary. Landbridge maintains its operations are commercial and compliant, having met contractual obligations, including infrastructure investments. The company argues that political rhetoric has negatively impacted its fundraising and partnerships.

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What Happened When

2011：: The United States launched a rotational deployment of Marines to Darwin as part of a broader defense pivot to Asia.

2015：: The Northern Territory government awarded and signed a 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin to Landbridge Group, with the lease not requiring federal security clearance at the time.

2023：: A government-commissioned review in Australia concluded that existing regulatory frameworks were sufficient to mitigate national security concerns related to the Port of Darwin.

During the 2025 election campaign：: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to end the lease of the Port of Darwin to the Chinese operator.

For the fiscal year ended June 2025：: Landbridge reported a net profit of A$9.6 million for the Port of Darwin, after a loss of A$37 million the prior year.

Wednesday, January 27, 2026：: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed his administration's commitment to reclaiming control of the Port of Darwin during a visit to East Timor.

January 28, 2026：: Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian held a press briefing in Canberra, questioning the Australian government's motives and warning of economic consequences.

January 29, 2026：: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized the need to protect Chinese companies' rights regarding the Port of Darwin issue.

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