Chinese Firm Sues to Try Stop Australia Cancelling 99-year Darwin Port Lease

A general view of the access entry to the Port of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory on April 8, 2025. The 99-year lease of Darwin Port to China’s Landbridge Group has become a contentious issue in the Australian federal election. Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesThe Chinese company that has a 99-year lease over Australia’s Port of Darwin has filed an international lawsuit to try ward off any attempt to break the lease.Both major Australian parties have expressed a desire to cancel the deal—which runs until the year 2114—citing national security concerns over the company Landbridge’s links to the Chinese Communist Party.