Australian foreign minister Penny Wong raised sensitive issues of trade blockages and human rights during her high-stakes meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in a historic discussion
that paves the way for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to consider visiting Beijing next year.
In the first visit to China by an Australian minister in three years, Wong used her 90-minute meeting with Xi Jinping’s foreign minister to urge Beijing to lift trade sanctions on Australian goods worth $20 billion and to raise the case of two Australians detained in China – journalist Cheng Lei and writer Yang Hengjun.
“In the last few years, our relationship has encountered difficulties and setbacks.,” Wang said. “This is what we do not want to see. The lessons must be learned.” The talks were held as Beijing braced for another difficult winter with a massive wave of COVID sweeping the country, which long-held a COVID-zero policy.
Australia’s ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher, said consular officials were particularly focused on regaining access to detained citizens.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia news live: Penny Wong heads to China; SA braces for largest flood in 50 yearsAustralia news live: Penny Wong heads to China; search for four teens missing off Mornington Peninsula
Read more »
It’s been a long road, but Australia and China are speaking againFrom resources booms to iron wars and Olympic highs to diplomatic death stares and detentions, the Australia-China relationship has been one of peaks and troughs.
Read more »
'Respect': PM's message over Australia-China relations ahead of key meetingPrime Minister Anthony Albanese has marked 50 years of diplomatic ties between Australia and China by noting relations will always be better off 'when we talk to each other calmly and directly and with respect'.
Read more »
Xi Jinping declares he is willing to work to repair China-Australia relationsIn comments reported in Chinese state media, the president says he attaches 'great importance' to developing relations between the two countries.
Read more »
China-Australia relations updates LIVE: Penny Wong says ‘dialogue itself’ a mark of successForeign Minister Penny Wong in Beijing ahead of meeting with counterpart Wang Yi; ACT government to establish inquiry to investigate Bruce Lehrmann trial. Follow updates here.
Read more »