Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded his second official visit to China.
The visit was an opportunity to continue advancing Australia’s security and economic interests. Wise management of this relationship is crucial for Australia’s future prosperity and for the security of our nation and the stability of our region.
The centrepiece of the Prime Minister’s visit were meetings with China’s most senior leaders in Beijing. The Prime Minister held his fourth meeting with President Xi Jinping, met Premier Li Qiang for their third Annual Leaders’ Meeting and had his second meeting with Chairman Zhao Leji of the National People’s Congress.
Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li announced a review of the ten-year old China Australia Free Trade Agreement, the basis of Australia’s trade arrangements with our largest trading partner. The Review will allow industry and the community to share views on how to improve the agreement.
In Shanghai, the Prime Minister met leading businesses from Australia - as part of a Business Council of Australia delegation - and China to discuss development of our economic links and in Beijing, the Prime Minister and Premier Li participated in the 8th Australia-China CEO Roundtable and witnessed the signature of bilateral arrangements to progress cooperation in trade, agriculture and tourism.
In tourism, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of several agreements to increase the strength and diversity of tourism links between Australia and China. This included new cooperation to boost media exposure in China of Australia as a world-class leading tourism destination.
In the resources sector, Prime Minister Albanese convened a Steel Decarbonisation Roundtable as part of a Business Council of Australia delegation with leading Australian iron ore miners - BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue and Hancock Prospecting - and Chinese steelmakers. These discussions focused on ways for Australia and China to bolster industry-led decarbonisation initiatives and ensure Australia’s iron ore trade with China continues strongly into the future.
Recognising the importance of this trade, Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li announced the establishment of a new Policy Dialogue on Steel Decarbonisation that will further back in these industry-led efforts.
The Prime Minister also travelled to Chengdu, the gateway to China’s thriving South West. In Chengdu, the Prime Minister engaged with leading Australian business and scientists in the health and medical technology sectors, backing in Australian cutting- edge talent in an area of great potential. He visited a Cochlear Australia facility in Chengdu, where this innovative Australian company is building a significant presence and is expanding its market reach in China and changing lives.
Australia’s approach to our relationship with China remains patient, calibrated and deliberate. Dialogue is central to a stable and constructive relationship.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“This visit marks another important step in the Australia-China relationship.
“A stable and constructive relationship with China is in Australia’s national interest.
“We will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest.
“Strengthening our security and economic interests with our largest trading partner will boost Australian jobs and support Australian businesses.
“I used my engagements in China to advocate for Australia’s interests including on trade, consular, human rights and regional and global issues.
“I thank President Xi and Premier Li for their hospitality on my second official visit to China.”