Wang Yi Holds China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong

On December 21, 2022, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the sixth round of China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Beijing.

Wang Yi welcomed Penny Wong to China for her first visit as Foreign Minister of the new Australian Labor Party government, and for holding a new round of China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue. He noted that this visit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia, is of great symbolic significance. Wang said that China-Australia relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with developed countries, bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples. In the past few years, China-Australia relations have encountered difficulties and setbacks. This is the last thing China wants to see, and lessons must be learnt from it. China and Australia, having neither historical grievances nor fundamental conflicts of interests, should and can become mutually needed cooperative partners. Maintaining sound and stable development of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership fully serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is also conducive to promoting peace and development in the Asia-Pacific and the world at large.

Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a positive and constructive meeting in Bali not long ago, which has charted the course and provided strategic guidance for improving bilateral relations. He noted that China appreciates the positive gestures the new Australian government has demonstrated on multiple occasions to improve and develop bilateral relations. The two sides should jointly implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries, and take the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to renew commitment to the relationship, put it back on the right track, and set out on a new journey to further improve bilateral relationship and promote its sustainable development.

Wang Yi stressed that the two sides should strictly abide by the commitments made at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations, uphold the right perception of each other and a mature way of getting along with each other, and maintain policy stability instead of backpedaling or flip-flopping. First, mutual respect. It is important to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, political system and development model, not interfere in each other's internal affairs, treat each other as equals, and seek harmonious coexistence. Second, seek common ground while reserving differences. It is important to put the differences and disagreements between the two countries into perspective, recognizing and rising above the differences and properly managing disagreements. It is also important to enhance mutual understanding through engagement and find mutually acceptable solutions through negotiation. Third, mutual benefit and win-win results. The Chinese and Australian economies are highly complementary, with broad prospects for cooperation in various fields. It is important to make consensus and cooperation the keynote of the bilateral relationship, expand common interests, and promote respective development and prosperity, to bring more and enduring benefits to the two peoples.

Penny Wong said that the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence jointly established by Australia and China when establishing diplomatic relations have played an important role in promoting the development of bilateral relations. Australia and China enjoy close economic and trade ties, active people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and a long-standing friendship between the two peoples. A stable and constructive Australia-China relationship is in the interests of both countries and the region. The new Australian government stays committed to the one-China policy, will manage rather than magnify disagreements between the two countries, and resume and develop communication and exchanges in various fields with China within the framework of the Australia-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Asia-Pacific security, China-US relations and other topics.

After the talks, the two sides issued the China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue Joint Outcomes Statement. The two sides agreed to a China-Australia relationship that is in keeping with their comprehensive strategic partnership. They agreed to maintain high-level engagement, and to commence or restart dialogue in areas including bilateral relations, economy and trade, and regional and international issues. They also agreed to support people-to-people exchanges.