China: Australian Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese has met Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing.
Mr. Albanese arrived in China on November 4, 2023, becoming the first Australian PM to visit the country since 2016.
“Today’s meeting with President Xi was an opportunity to discuss the Australia-China bilateral relationship and issues in our region. Australia will continue to engage in our national interest. And where differences arise, dialogue is essential.” Mr. Albanese shared on X after meeting Mr. Xi.
Trade and Chinese tariffs on Australian goods will be the main priorities in talks, as per the statement. The Chinese President is expected to ask for more access to important Australian sectors.
“What I’ve said is that we need to co-operate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest,” Mr. Albanese said ahead of the meeting.
The Australian PM’s visit comes near the 50th year of an Australian prime minister’s first trip to China.
“It is 50 years since Gough Whitlam became the first Australian Prime Minister to visit China. Since he visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing much has changed. But what is constant is that engagement between our two countries remains important,” The PM wrote on X.
The two countries had stormy relations in the past years, mainly with the call for the COVID-19 origin probe and the ban on Chinese company services. In recent months, China and Australia have indicated publicly that they are close to resolving their trade issues.
Australian journalist Ms. Cheng Lei was freed in October after spending three years in detention on espionage charges. Her case had become a focal point in the tensions between the two countries.
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