Chinese Embassy Concert Blocked at Australian Parliament House

As of September 4, 2025, A concert organized by the Chinese Embassy, originally scheduled to take place at the Australian Parliament House, was blocked by government officials. Authorities stated that the event’s application process had not been completed and required security review, so access to the Parliament building was temporarily prohibited.

Under parliamentary rules, all foreign official or diplomatic events must undergo multi-level review, including submitting detailed activity plans, participant lists, performance content, and security measures. Arrangements must ensure that parliamentary operations are not disrupted and comply with national security regulations. The Chinese Embassy had planned the concert before completing the application review, prompting the temporary block.

A federal government source told ABC that holding the event in the core parliamentary area was considered “unacceptable” due to multiple diplomatic and security considerations, including sensitivity regarding Japan, concerns that China might use commemorative events to display military power, and China’s close relations with leaders from Russia and North Korea.

The Chinese Embassy had prepared various musical programs and performance sequences, but the event cannot officially proceed until review procedures and the above concerns are resolved. Parliament management emphasized that all foreign official events must follow established procedures, including venue security checks, visitor verification, and administrative approvals, to ensure parliamentary operations and safety.