Chinese Premier Li Qiang has commended Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his personal efforts to restore relations between China and Australia, which had reached a “low point” in recent years.
A New Chapter in China-Australia Relations
Albanese met with Li at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, marking a significant step towards improving ties between the two nations.
Li congratulated Albanese on his re-election and praised his efforts to stabilize the China-Australia relationship, which had soured under the former Liberal government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Commitment to Cooperation
Li highlighted the need for China and Australia to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, especially in the face of growing instability and uncertainty in the global economy.
“China-Australia relations have moved beyond a low point and returned to the right track of stability and development,” Li said.
Exploring New Opportunities
Albanese expressed his desire to explore new opportunities in trade, climate change, tourism, and culture with China.
“We’ll also have an opportunity to have a frank and open dialogue that enables us to navigate issues that need to be discussed,” he said.
Concerns Over Military Drills
Albanese raised concerns over China’s lack of notice before conducting military drills off the Australian coast, which forced commercial flights to divert.
He secured a commitment from China to provide better information on military drills in the region.
Australia’s Position on Taiwan
Albanese reiterated Australia’s position that there should be no unilateral change to the status quo over Taiwan.
“We want peace and security in the region, that is in the interests of both Australia and China,” he said.
Detention of Australian Writer
Albanese raised the detention of Australian writer Yang Hengjun, but did not expect immediate progress on the case.
Yang was given a suspended death sentence in China on secretive national security charges that Australia rejects.
A Message from Xi Jinping
In a jab at US isolationism under US President Donald Trump, Xi said countries should work together to “support multilateralism and free trade, defend the UN-centred international system and the international order”.
Australian Journalists Confronted in Beijing
Earlier on Tuesday, Chinese security officials tried to stop Australian journalists from leaving a tourist attraction in Beijing after filming in the area.