BEIJING (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is advocating for the “full resumption of free and unimpeded trade” with China during a meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, marking the first visit by an Australian leader to China in seven years.
Albanese emphasized that climate change, food security, and transnational crime are areas where both nations can collaborate. He believes that discussions should center around “ways to shape a regional and global order that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous, where countries respect sovereignty and fulfill their obligations under international law and conventions.”
In regards to the heightened tensions between China and the United States, a key Australian ally, Albanese stressed the necessity of handling geostrategic competition “through dialogue and understanding.”
“We can cultivate the relationship while advancing our respective interests, as long as we navigate wisely when there are differences,” said Albanese.
The Australian foreign office reported that Li acknowledged the desire for further improvement in bilateral relations. “Therefore, we hope both sides will continue to work towards the same direction and sustain this positive momentum,” Li stated.
Reporters were asked to leave the room before their meeting commenced. It is expected that their discussions will primarily focus on trade, as China has eased some restrictive measures, although not all, that were implemented as relations between the two nations deteriorated.
In recent years, tensions have escalated between China and Australia due to suspicions of Chinese interference in Australian politics. Australia’s call for an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 virus and allegations of Chinese efforts to intimidate members of the Chinese-Australian community further exacerbated the situation. As a response, China imposed official tariffs and unofficial trade barriers, resulting in an estimated loss of up to 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion) annually for Australian exporters of commodities such as coal, wine, beef, barley, and lobsters.
In recent months, both China and Australia have indicated that resolutions to trade issues are within reach.
In addition, Australian journalist Cheng Lei was released in October after three years of detention on charges of espionage. Her case had become a focal point in the tensions between the two nations.
Despite a generally positive tone during his visit, Albanese’s government is actively pursuing a security partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States, which China perceives as an effort to counter its influence in the region.
