Australian and Chinese leaders meet in Beijing while their countries try to mend ties
The leaders of Australia and China have welcomed the improvement in relations between their two countries in the past year and emphasized the importance of engaging with each other despite differences on issues such as defense
BEIJING — The leaders of Australia and China joked about the relative cuteness of pandas and Tasmanian devils on Monday in a largely symbolic meeting that reflected the ongoing upswing in relations between the two countries after several years of acrimony and division.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is making the first visit by an Australian leader to China in seven years in a sign of both how low relations fell and how they have begun to stabilize.
He and Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the gradual improvement in ties in the past year and emphasized the importance of engaging with each other despite differences on issues such as defense.
China, a major market for Australia, has lifted some trade restrictions on Australian products since the two leaders first met in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022.
“The progress we have made in advancing our relationship over that time has been unquestionably very positive,” Albanese said in opening remarks to Xi before the media. «Trade is flowing more freely to the benefit of both countries.”
Xi said that both sides had resumed exchanges of views and worked out some problems.
“The China-Australia relationship has embarked on the right path of improvement and development,” Xi said. “I’m heartened to see that.”
Albanese said he would meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday before returning to Australia.
Relations nosedived in recent years as suspicions of Chinese interference in Australian politics increased. China, in turn, was angered by Australia’s
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