Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong is leaving for Beijing on Tuesday to meet with her Chinese counterpart in a bid to stabilise once strategic relations with Australia’s largest trading partner.
After a gap of almost half a decade, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will host Senator Wong for the 6th Australia–China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday in Beijing. This Dialogue was last held in 2018,then foreign minister Marise Payne went to Chinese capital.
Wong’s meeting is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canberra and Beijing.
“This week marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the People’s Republic of China”, foreign minister Wong said in a joint statement with Prime Minister Albanese.
Trade between Australia and China, as well as strong people-to-people, cultural and business links have delivered significant benefits to both our countries.
“Building on the recent constructive meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Xi in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, tomorrow Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to Beijing at the invitation of the People’s Republic of China to meet China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, and hold the 6th Australia–China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue”, joint statement read.
The meeting will coincide with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, on Wednesday 21 December.
“We welcome the opportunity to mark this anniversary as Australia seeks a stable relationship with China; we will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest”, statement concluded.
