A changing of the guard is taking place at the Chinese embassy in Canberra. Ambassador Xiao Qian’s four-year posting will soon conclude, with career diplomat and Asian affairs specialist Liu Jinsong tipped to take his place.As a former Australian diplomat, I imagine Xiao is busying himself preparing handover notes for Liu. These are a time-honoured diplomatic ritual, regarded as the definitive insider guide on how not to stuff up and attract the ire of your bosses back home.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles