Reporters' Blog

The Prime Minister and her partner, Tim Mathieson walked out into the vast expanse of Beijing’s Forbidden City.

On a perfect blue sky day free of Beijing’s usual smog she marvelled at the history of the former Imperial Palace.

Tourists had been cleared from the ancient site for her visit but a small group of Australian school students had been allowed in to meet her.

“G’day” Julia Gillard said as she walked towards them.

“What’s the best thing you’ve done here?” she asked.

“Meeting you”, one quipped.

She met more Aussies who were standing behind barricades.

“Australians everywhere” she said out loud.

Australia’s leader certainly seems to have been everywhere in Beijing.

During her two day visit she’s addressed business leaders from both countries, signed more memorandums of understanding than anyone can remember and even gone to the Opera.

But it’s her meetings with Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao that have attracted the most interest.

In the huge meeting room adjoining the cavernous Great Hall of the People their discussions have focussed on trade and investment. But she’s also raised concerns about China’s recent crackdown on dissidents. Wen Jiabao replied that China hadn’t taken a backwards step on human rights. It may not have been the assurance she was seeking.

Despite such sensitive discussions she says her visit to China, Japan and South Korea has been a success.

She’ll be on much more comfortable ground soon enough when she visits London on Thursday to attend the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.