Australian officials have canceled a planned concert by the Chinese embassy at Parliament House, intended to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. This decision has led to a diplomatic dispute in Canberra.

China has invested significant resources into marking this anniversary, including a large military parade in Beijing and numerous events at its diplomatic missions worldwide. These commemorations aim to honor the defeat of fascism and remember the atrocities committed by Japanese forces in China during the 1930s and 1940s, which resulted in millions of deaths. However, analysts suggest that Beijing is also using this propaganda effort to strengthen its claims over Taiwan. Japan has expressed concern about these commemorations, indicating that they may incite nationalism and hostility towards the Japanese people.

Last month, the Chinese embassy in Canberra invited guests to a gala at the Great Hall in Parliament House on August 30. The event was to feature performances by artists from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music, promoting "the ideals of peace" and "preserving historical memory" as part of a "significant cultural exchange." Initially, the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) approved the event but later rescinded permission, prompting the concert to be relocated to the Chinese embassy in Yarralumla.

The concert took place last Saturday evening, with nearly 400 guests in attendance, including dignitaries, representatives from diplomatic missions, and members of the Chinese community and international students. While the DPS has not publicly explained the cancellation, a federal government source indicated that hosting the event in Parliament would have been "untenable" due to sensitivities regarding Japan's stance and concerns about China's military displays and ties to authoritarian leaders.

Australia's Ambassador to China, Scott Dewar, did not attend the military parade in Beijing, sending a junior diplomat instead. The Coalition criticized former Labor Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for attending the concert. The DPS stated that it canceled the booking after gaining a clearer understanding of the event's nature. A spokesperson noted that events at Parliament House are accepted based on various factors, and if circumstances change, bookings can be canceled.

Senator David Shoebridge, the Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and the only federal parliamentarian listed as attending the concert, argued that blocking the event was misguided. He stated, "A musical event celebrating the defeat of fascism isn't the most controversial event held in Canberra this year. Parliament would have survived hosting it."

The Chinese embassy did not respond to inquiries about the incident but stated that the musicians performed classic works celebrating peace and friendship. China's Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, emphasized the sacrifices made by the Chinese people during the war and the friendship between China and Australia.

A diplomatic source indicated that Chinese officials privately blamed Japan's government for the cancellation and suggested that Australia yielded to pressure from Tokyo. However, an Australian government source denied this claim, asserting that the decision was made independently by Australian officials.

This controversy arises as Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles prepare for annual "2+2" talks with their Japanese counterparts in Tokyo. The relationship between Australia and Japan has strengthened recently, particularly following Australia's decision to select Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for its new fleet of warships. Marles described Japan as an "indispensable partner for Australia," while Wong noted that the relationship is "going from strength to strength."