Australia's success in avoiding a recession was partly the result of strong economic growth in China. This emphasised the importance of Australia's relationship with China for its future economic prosperity. The detention of Australian Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu by Chinese authorities revealed a darker side to this relationship. Cartoonists were quick to highlight the complexities of living with our northern neighbour.








![A colour cartoon depicting Kevin Rudd standing in front of a whiteboard. He holds a red book under his left arm and is gesticulating toward the whiteboard with his right hand. He is saying 'Don't mention these and we can save face!' On the whiteboard is written the following: 'Falun Gong, Tibet, One-child policy, Capital punishment, Chinese Uyghurs, Melb. Int. Film Festival, Internet Censorship, Economic Links with Sudan, Freedom of the Press, Communist Dictatorship, The Fact That Poh May Not Win Masterchef, Religious Freedom, Lip-Syncing Girl From The Opening Ceremony, Ping Pong Originated In England In The 1880s, Margaret Fulton's 80s Recipe For Chop Suey, Wierd [sic] Fluoro Glug In Cantonese Food, MSG & Hu!' - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/671539/MA25132449-Dont-mention-1200w.jpg)

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