Chinese Premier Li Qiang has recently concluded a significant tour of three Asia-Pacific nations: Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. This marks his first visit to these countries since assuming office in March 2023. The trip has yielded fruitful outcomes in stabilizing ties and expanding cooperation, according to experts.
Despite Complications, China-Australia Ties Not Defined by Differences
Li’s visit to Australia, the first by a Chinese premier in seven years, attracted wide attention. The relationship had previously fallen into a deep freeze under the previous Australian government.
During his four-day visit, Li stressed on many occasions that China-Australia ties are back on the right track of sound and stable development.
He noted that the most important lessons from the past decade of China-Australia relations are that the two sides should respect each other, seek common ground while shelving differences, and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation.
A statement on the joint outcomes of the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, co-chaired by Li and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, said that the two sides “reiterated the importance of a mature, stable and constructive bilateral relationship,” and agreed that they would “continue to navigate their differences wisely.”
“One of the major consensus of understanding between the two sides during the visit is that while recognizing the relationship is complicated, as there are differences, competition as well as cooperation, their relationship should not be defined by differences, but rather the two sides should work together for cooperation and at the same time find a way to address these differences,” said Rong Ying, senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, in an interview with CGTN.
Rong added that the trip also showcases great vision between the two sides to further push the relationship to a more solid and grounded level.
Echoing Rong, Geoffrey Hawker, head of the Political and International Relations School at Australia’s Macquarie University, said the achievements of Li’s visit show a maturity in bilateral relations. “The nations had those differences…but we’ve reflected, and we are able to move on from that.”
“I am very pleased, and I think most Australians are, that this is a historical period behind us, and we’ve got back to where we were,” said Hawker.
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Key takeaways from Li Qiang's Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia visits
cgtn.com
