Australia and China call for more dialogue, cooperation at leaders’ meeting

President Xi Jinping stated during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday in Beijing that China is prepared to collaborate with Australia to enhance bilateral relations.

The encounter between the two leaders occurs as China seeks to take advantage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s extensive trade tariffs by positioning itself as a dependable and stable ally. Chinese authorities have shown a desire to enhance a decade-old free trade agreement and collaborate on artificial intelligence. Xi stated during the opening of the meeting that China was eager to “advance further progress in the China-Australia relationship.”

Australia appreciated its relationship with China, its biggest trading partner, and acknowledged “advancements in collaboration” under the free trade agreement, Albanese stated in reply, emphasizing that Australia’s national interest would steer Canberra’s stance towards the partnership.

“Dialogue needs to be at the centre of our relationship,” the prime minister said. “I welcome the opportunity to set out Australia’s views and interests and our thinking on how we can maintain peace, security, stability and prosperity in our region.”

Albanese is anticipated to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang later this Tuesday. He has indicated that trade in resources, energy transition, and security tensions would be important subjects for conversations in Beijing.

Under Albanese, Australia, seeing the United States as its primary security partner, has adopted a China policy of “cooperate where possible, disagree where necessary.”

Ahead of the visit, China indicated multiple times its willingness for enhanced collaboration. On Tuesday, the state-run China Daily newspaper released a favorable commentary regarding the visit, stating it demonstrated that nations with varying political systems could still collaborate.

Nonetheless, any collaboration is probably limited by enduring Australian worries regarding China’s military expansion and the imprisonment of Australian author Yang Hengjun. Additionally, Beijing has also condemned Canberra’s heightened scrutiny of foreign investment in crucial minerals and Albanese’s commitment to restore a Chinese-leased port to Australian control.

Australia’s exports to China, its top trading partner, include agricultural products and energy but are mainly led by iron ore. Albanese has journeyed with leaders from mining behemoths Rio Tinto, BHP, and Fortescue, who engaged with Chinese steel industry representatives on Monday as the six-day visit commenced.