China’s Xi vows to build sustainable ties with Australia

CHINESE President Xi Jinping said China was willing to work with Australia to promote the sustainable development of bilateral relations.

State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Wednesday (Dec 21) that Xi had sent congratulatory messages to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley, to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This was the latest sign of warming ties between the two major trade partners.

The Chinese president added that a stable and healthy diplomatic relationship was in the interest of both nations, CCTV said.

The election of a centre-left Labor Party government in Australia in May set in motion a diplomatic reset with China. Ties which had grown strained under the previous prime minister, Scott Morrison, were repaired.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is in China for the first state visit by a top Australian diplomat since 2018. She is expected to meet with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. 

In April 2020, calls by Morrison for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19 angered the Chinese government. China later placed trade sanctions on a number of Australian exports, including wine, barley and meat.

SEE ALSO

China’s economy is in for a bumpy ride as Covid zero comes to an end

Coking coal slumps as talks on Australia-China trade rift loom

DECODING ASIA

Navigate Asia in
a new global order

Get the insights delivered to your inbox.

Following Morrison’s electoral loss, both sides held several senior ministerial meetings. This included talks between Albanese and Xi, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in November.

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Albanese said Australia wanted to have a “stable” relationship with China.

“We will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in the national interest,” he added. BLOOMBERG