China and Australia Strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Canberra, The Gulf Observer: Despite being oceans apart, China and Australia have long been committed to advancing their bilateral relations through win-win cooperation. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Australia and the establishment of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Over the past decade, the bilateral ties have faced challenges but have gradually been restored through joint efforts and high-level dialogues. On Monday morning, during his official visit to Australia, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of maintaining and further developing the hard-won positive momentum of bilateral relations.

Premier Li highlighted that the fundamental characteristics of China-Australia relations are mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. He stressed that the development of both countries represents opportunities rather than challenges for each other. Li’s remarks came during the ninth China-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Reflecting on the past decade, Premier Li noted that mutual respect and beneficial cooperation are key to sustaining bilateral relations. Through the joint efforts of both nations, Beijing-Canberra ties have returned to a stable and sound development path, showing continuous improvement.

Since Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to China last November, the two countries have made significant strides in restoring and developing dialogues and cooperation, leading to a comprehensive turnaround in bilateral relations. In April, Australia ended its anti-dumping measures against Chinese wind towers after the World Trade Organization ruled against Australian duties on Chinese steel products. In response, China lifted anti-dumping duties on Australian wine and removed bans on several beef and lamb exporters from Australia.

Premier Li expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with Australia to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership, aiming to better benefit both peoples. Guo Shengxiang, director of the Australian Innovation Institute of Finance and Technology, remarked that Premier Li’s visit brought transformative positive energy to a world in flux, offering solid hope and relief.

During his meeting with Australian Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton, Premier Li stated that stable and continuous development of China-Australia relations serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and contributes to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Warwick Powell, adjunct professor at the Queensland University of Technology, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that focusing on mutually beneficial interests creates a positive atmosphere for enhancing bilateral relations.

China and Australia’s economies are highly complementary, with ample momentum and potential for cooperation. Since 2009, China has been Australia’s largest trading partner, export market, and import source for 15 consecutive years. Premier Li highlighted that China’s growing market will continue to offer development opportunities for Australia and the world.

The meetings between Premier Li and Prime Minister Albanese resulted in several significant outcomes, including plans to resume the Strategic Economic Dialogue in 2024, convene the next Annual Leaders’ Meeting in 2025, and agreements on visas, giant panda conservation, and MoUs on education, research, climate change, and cultural exchange.

Premier Li’s visit is part of a three-nation tour from June 13 to 20, which includes visits to New Zealand and Malaysia.