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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said Australia seeks a more "structured dialogue" in its relationship with China, but also raised trade "blockages", human rights, and consular access to detained Australians during a meeting with her Chinese counterpart on Wednesday.
Key points:
- Senator Wong says both nations agreed to "maintain high-level engagement", grow their bilateral relationship and uphold national interests
- But Australia is still "protesting vigorously" against China's ban on diplomats visiting jailed citizens amid a COVID surge
- The meeting came during the first official ministerial visit to Beijing since 2019
Senator Wong expressed Australia's concerns about the ongoing detention of Australian journalist Cheng Lei and writer Dr Yang Hengjun during her talks with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
The meeting came as part of the first official visit to China by an Australian minister since 2019.
Until recently Australia had been put in a diplomatic deep freeze, but high-level lines of communication reopened between the government and Beijing after Labor's federal election win in May.
"We advocated for a range of things," Senator Wong said after the 90-minute meeting.
"They include for those Australians to be reunited with their families as soon as possible, but we also advocate for the observance of consular agreements."
Senator Wong confirmed she also discussed human rights issues, including in Tibet, Hong Kong and the treatment of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang.
"Australia believes human rights are universal," she said.
She also signalled there would be further developments on various trade issues related to "blockages" impacting about $20 billion worth of Australian exports following the meeting.
"In the context of trade, there was a discussion about opportunities for further dialogue to work through how we might do, what I think is in the best interest of both countries and consumers […] and certainly in terms of Australian exporters and Chinese consumers, and that is for the trade blockages to be removed," she said.
Senator Wong added that both parties had agreed to "maintain high-level engagement" and "further dialogue" in multiple areas including coal deposits, trade, human rights, and regional and international security.
Asked about the next step towards stabilising relations, she said she was seeking "more structured dialogue".
"We are very different countries, we have very different political systems," she said.
"But we need to seek to manage those differences wisely, and dialogue is a prerequisite for that."
Speaking alongside Senator Wong before their official meeting, Mr Wang said the change in government, and a recent meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was the beginning of an improvement in the two nations' relationship.
"Shortly after that meeting you proposed this trip. This shows that you and the government of Australia attaches importance and is positive about upholding, improving and developing China-Australia relations, which we highly appreciate," he said.
"Keep to the right direction and start again on this journey to further improve our bilateral relations and move it forward in a sustainable manner."
Mr Wang said there was "every reason" the two nations should be cooperative partners.
"There is no historical grievance, or fundamental conflicts of interest between our two countries," he said.
"To maintain a sound and steady growth our comprehensive strategic partnership serves the fundamental interests of our two peoples, and is good for peace and development in Asia Pacific and beyond."
Mr Wang did not shy away from addressing the strained relations in recent years, though, acknowledging there had been "difficulties and setbacks".
"This is what we do not want to see, the lessons must be learned," he said.
In response Senator Wong said she appreciated the opportunity to build on the "constructive exchanges" between Mr Xi and Mr Albanese in Bali.
Australia protests ban while working to 'repair' China relationship
Australia is "protesting vigorously" against China's ban on consular visits to jailed citizens introduced as a massive wave of COVID-19 swept the country.
Diplomats have not been able to visit detainees like Mr Lei and Dr Yang Hengjun since September, after Beijing enforced a total ban on consular access to all prisoners for all countries.
Australia's ambassador to China Graham Fletcher said consular officials were particularly focused on regaining access to detained citizens.
"At the moment, because China is experiencing a [COVID] surge, it has unfortunately stopped regular (consular) access to all prisoners […] for all countries," he said.
"We are protesting vigorously about that."
Senator Wong's trip to Beijing is the first ministerial visit Mr Fletcher has hosted since former trade minister Simon Birmingham travelled to China in November 2019.
Fifty years of relations
Senator Wong's visit is officially to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had received a "very warm" letter from Mr Xi.
"Congratulating Australia on the 50th anniversary in response to correspondence I sent to President Xi," he said.
"It is important we deliver better relations with our major trading partner."
Senator Wong and Mr Wang attended an unveiling of a "shourifeng" — a special envelope also referred to as a "cover" — to commemorate the anniversary.
The short ceremony took place after the pair had a 100-minute formal bilateral meeting.
Earlier, Chinese state media reported that President Xi said he attaches "great importance" to developing relations with between China and Australia, and that he will work to promote a comprehensive strategic partnership, state media reports.
Mr Xi made the comments in a report from China Central Television (CCTV), a state-owned media outlet.
"I attach great importance to the development of China-Australia relations and am willing to work with the Australian side," he said.
Reuters/ABC/Pool