The talks between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong mark an important step for both sides to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries at the Bali meeting, and demonstrate the positive attitudes of both sides towards maintaining, improving and developing China-Australia relations, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng said on Wednesday.

When briefing the media on the talks, Xie said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia 50 years ago, bilateral ties have made tremendous achievements and brought benefits to the two nations and their peoples.

Since Australia's Labor Party government took office in May this year, it has sent positive signals on China-Australia relations, and reiterated its adherence to the position of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership and the one-China policy, Xie said.

It also said Australia would handle relations with China in a mature manner, showing positive will to improve and develop bilateral ties, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month in Bali, in which they had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties, Xie said, adding that the talks pointed out the way forward for China-Australia relations.

Candid, deep and constructive talks

Xie said the two foreign ministers had in-depth communication on principled issues such as the way of getting along, and fully exchanged views on specific measures to improve and develop China-Australia relations in the next stage.

"The talks are candid, deep and constructive," he said, adding that they achieved the goal of enhancing understanding, accumulating consensus, managing differences and promoting cooperation.

Wang said the development history of the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia has repeatedly proved that we should pay attention to the original intention when the diplomatic relations were established, adhere to the correct mutual understanding and mature way of getting along with each other, and maintain the stability of policies.

China and Australia should respect each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, political systems and development models, refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs, and treat each other as equals, he said.

Wang called on both sides to correctly view the differences between the two countries, recognize them, control them and transcend them. He said both sides should enhance understanding through contact and find mutually acceptable solutions through consultations.

Noting the complementarity of the two economies and the broad prospects for China-Australia cooperation in various fields, Wang said the two sides should make consensus and cooperation the keynote of their relations, expand common interests, and promote their development and prosperity to further benefit the two peoples.

The two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional and international affairs of mutual concern, Xie said.

China always stands on the side of peace, justice and dialogue, carries forward the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and is always committed to promoting peace talks, Wang said.

Prospects of China-Australia relations  

There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Australia, Xie said, adding that the two peoples share friendly traditions, and bilateral ties have long been at the forefront of China's relations with developed countries.

The stable and healthy development of China-Australia relationship is beneficial not only to the two countries, but also to the Asia-Pacific region, and the world at large, Xie said.

Xie said there are opportunities for improvement in China-Australia relations, but challenges still remain. 

China hopes the Australian side will take active measures and work with China to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to reduce the burden and clear obstacles for China-Australia relations, and push bilateral ties back to the right track of development, he added.