Australia’s Prime Minister receives his Chinese counterpart on his first visit in seven years

June 17 () –

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, received this Monday in the Australian Parliament his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, in what was the first trip by a Chinese head of Government to this country in seven years, which shows a improvement of diplomatic relations between both countries.

“It is an honor to represent the Government and people of Australia as your host. It is a pleasure to reciprocate the generosity with which I was received in China last year,” he declared before recalling that it was his seventh visit to the Asian giant, yes. Well, it was the first since he has been in power and he considers that “it was an important opportunity to advance” diplomatic ties.

Albanese, who highlighted that “it was an important opportunity to advance the commitment” between both nations, has stated that he believes that “continuous dialogue is beneficial” because “it is always better” to deal “directly” regardless of “whatever the problem,” as stated in a statement from his office.

“Our recent efforts to engage in dialogue on issues affecting our people, our countries and our region have been very welcome (…) It is a relationship in which we must always be willing to collaborate with each other as mature nations” , he has indicated.

Although he has acknowledged that “there is much left to do,” he has asserted that “it is clear that your countries are making progress in stabilizing and rebuilding that crucial dialogue. “We will not always agree, and the points on which we disagree agreement will not simply disappear if we leave them silent,” he stressed.

The Australian head of government has highlighted that they live in “a region in the process of change and growth” that is important to both Beijing and Canberra, but has considered that “the links” between their peoples “are at the center of this”, contributing to the “connection” between the two”, beyond the diplomacy and economic cooperation that “contribute” to prosperity.

Li’s four-day visit, which began on Saturday, comes after Chinese authorities broadly removed tariffs on key Australian exports including wine, coal and barley.