Chinese premier's visit injects new impetus into China-Australia relations

Editor's note: Zhou Jianjun is an assistant researcher at the Institute of National Systems and School of Economics at Zhejiang University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is visiting New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia between June 11 and June 20. 

Both China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and their economic structures are highly complementary. 

The warming of China-Australia relations aligns with the fundamental interests of the people of both countries and is in line with current demands for peace and development.

High-level political exchanges promoted to refine 'top-level design' of China-Australia relations

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, China-Australia relations have gone through twists and turns but have been steadily improving.

In 2014, leaders of both countries unanimously decided to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership. 

After that, for reasons from the Australian side, bilateral frictions were constant and China-Australia relations at one point hit rock bottom. 

In November 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China, pointing out that China is an important partner for Australia and that their relationship should not be defined by differences as the two countries share broad common interests, and that dialogue and cooperation are the right choices. 

Li's visit to Australia this June makes him the highest-ranking Chinese leader to do so since 2017. It aims to implement the leaders' consensus, strengthen political communication and exchange, and continually refine the top-level design of bilateral relations, thereby injecting new impetus into the development of stable and long-term China-Australia relations.  

China-Australia economic and trade investments expand in scale, consolidating economic foundation of bilateral relations

Australia has abundant agricultural and mineral resources, which can complement the development of the Chinese economy. 

In 2023, bilateral trade volume between China and Australia reached $229.2 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.1 percent, with China being Australia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

Australian investment in China rose by 11.7 percent compared to the previous year, and the number of new Australian-funded enterprises in China grew by 40.2 percent from last year.

With concerted efforts from both sides, Australia's exports of coal and agricultural products to China have gradually recovered, with nearly 80 percent of Australia's trade surplus in 2023 coming from trade with China.

During Li's visit to Australia this time, the annual prime ministerial meeting mechanism will be fully restored based on previous cooperation, consolidating economic cooperation in traditional fields such as energy and minerals and extending economic partnerships to emerging sectors like the digital economy, thus stabilizing and furthering China-Australia relations through economic and trade cooperation and injecting new impetus into the continuously warming bilateral relations.

People from both countries communicate frequently, cementing foundation of China-Australia relations

The sound relationship between the two countries lies in the amity between their people, and this amity is derived from people-to-people exchanges. 

Since the establishment of sister-city relations between Guangdong Province in China and New South Wales in Australia in 1979, a total of 113 pairs of sister provinces and cities have been formed. 

In addition, international students have played a crucial role in cultural exchanges between the two countries. 

At present, over 148,000 Chinese students are studying in Australia, forming the largest group of international students in the country. 

During his visit, Li will co-chair the ninth China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, engaging widely with people from all walks of life and exchanging views on China-Australia relations and other issues of common concern.

Promoting exchanges and cooperation – in various fields such as education, culture and tourism, local affairs, and youth – will facilitate interactions between people from the two countries, injecting new impetus into the lasting friendship between China and Australia.

At this new historic starting point of the 10th anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, China and Australia should join hands to deepen cooperation in various fields, promote stable and long-term bilateral relations and bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

(Cover via CFP)