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.