China warned it could retaliate if Australia moves to terminate Landbridge’s 99-year lease on the Port of Darwin, framing the issue as protecting Chinese interests rather than a simple commercial matter.

Australian Prime Minister pledged to reclaim the port for Australia, considering both private Australian buyers and government-led options to return ownership to Australian hands.

Beijing warned that taking back the port could affect broader China–Australia trade and investment relations as it protects Landbridge's position.

Two government reviews found no national security grounds to terminate the lease, yet the government pressed ahead with plans for a forced sale during the election campaign.

The dispute sits within a broader, slow-moving debate over ports controlled by Chinese entities, including tensions around China Cosco Shipping and other ports near the Panama Canal.

China’s leadership positioned itself as a steady partner, contrasting China with a hypothetical Trump-led US.

Landbridge paid about $506 million for the lease in 2015 and recently reported a profit, with supporters arguing the port’s profitability supports a sale.

There was no prisoner swap or deal regarding Yang Hengjun, and he remains in China in a suspended death sentence, according to Xiao.

Despite a landslide re-election for Labor, progress on reversing the lease has been limited.

Australian Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said discussions with Landbridge are sensitive and ongoing, offering no further comments on acquisition.