In a significant development for China-Australia relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Both leaders expressed optimism about the positive progress in bilateral ties and emphasized the importance of further strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted the mutual benefits of a mature, stable, and fruitful relationship between the two nations. “Both sides should continue to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership,” Wang stated.
He urged both countries to properly handle issues in their bilateral exchanges and avoid defining their relationship solely from the perspective of differences. Wang expressed hope that Australia would join hands with China to ensure that the bilateral relations remain on the right track and achieve more tangible results. “We should not define China-Australia relations from the perspective of differences,” he said.
Penny Wong echoed Wang’s sentiments, affirming Australia’s readiness to work with China to strengthen economic and trade cooperation. She emphasized the importance of engaging in constructive communication on areas of disagreement to promote the stable development of bilateral relations. “Australia is ready to work with China to strengthen economic and trade cooperation and engage in constructive communication on differences,” Wong said.
Wong also reaffirmed Australia’s adherence to the one-China policy, a cornerstone of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The meeting between Wang Yi and Penny Wong signifies a mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation and addressing challenges, paving the way for a more robust partnership between China and Australia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com