As the western world's first Mandarin-speaking head of government, Kevin Rudd seemed suited to the task of modernising Australia's relations with China when he came to power in 2007.
But as Canberra ponders a decision on whether to allow a $19.5bn (€15bn, £13.5bn) investment by Chinalco, the Chinese metals producer, in Rio Tinto, the debt-laden mining group, the prime minister's sinophilia is emerging as a potential political liability.
Chinalco's gambit – the biggest overseas investment yet announced by a Chinese group – has attracted scathing opposition from nationalists, who have historically been suspicious of Chinese involvement in Australia.
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