Top Australia, China diplomats meet over trade, human rights

Australia will prepare for a visit by China’s Premier Li Qiang this year, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after meeting her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Canberra for talks she said covered human rights, tariffs, regional security and pandas.

Australia and China are rebuilding ties after a period of strained relations which hit a low in 2020 after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origin of Covid-19.

Beijing responded by imposing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Australian commodity imports, most of which have been lifted since a change of government in Canberra two years ago.

“I look forward to speaking frankly with you about Australians detained in China, human rights, maritime security and safety, as well as regional and international issues, such as the Pacific, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East,” Wong said in her opening remarks.

After the meeting, she addressed Chinese and Australian reporters and said the two nations would work to prepare for a visit by Li, emphasising the importance of face-to-face diplomacy to better understand each other.

Australia and China would expand dialogue on the Pacific and on climate and energy cooperation, Wong said.

“I expressed our serious concern about unsafe conduct at sea, our desire for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in our region,” she said, a reference to friction with China’s navy in the South China Sea.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement, Wang said he hoped Australia would take measures to uphold the principles of the market economy and provide a non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in Australia.

Canberra screens foreign investment in key sectors for national security, including critical minerals, and has blocked some Chinese deals.

He highlighted the need for independence, a likely reference to China’s view that Australia’s foreign policy is dominated by Canberra’s strategic alliance with the United States, and said ChinaAustralia relations are on the right track and should not go backward.