Premier Li: China ready to deepen bilateral cooperation with Australia

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said that China is ready to work with Australia to further deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, aiming for a higher level of mutual benefit that better serves the interests of both peoples.

Li made the remarks during the 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing.

All countries are facing new challenges in their development amid rising instability and uncertainty in the global economy, Li said, adding that in this context, the significance of strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia, as major economic and trade partners, has become more prominent.

Li said that the Chinese and Australian economies are highly complementary, with broad space for cooperation in areas such as energy resources, agricultural products, green development, and technological innovation.

China is willing to fully utilize various dialogue mechanisms with Australia and strengthen the planning and design for cooperation across different sectors to explore more shared interests and new drivers of economic growth, ultimately unlocking the vast potential of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Li added.

It is hoped that Australia will provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in Australia, Li said, adding that China is keen to provide vigorous support for exchanges in culture, education, tourism and regional collaboration, and further facilitate personnel exchanges between the two sides.

Li noted that China and Australia, as both advocates and beneficiaries of multilateralism and free trade, are active promoters of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. He urged the two sides to strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral frameworks, maintain the rules-based multilateral trading system, and work together to foster a conducive environment for international economic and trade cooperation.

Noting the positive momentum in Australia-China relations, Albanese said Australia places great importance on fostering a stable and constructive bilateral relationship with China. He reaffirmed that Australia adheres to the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence."

Albanese said Australia is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges and dialogue with China in various fields, including diplomacy and trade, and ensure that differences do not define the bilateral relationship.

Noting that the economies of Australia and China are highly complementary, Albanese said Australia looks forward to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, agriculture, tourism and culture, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges in education, civil society and youth sectors.

Australia is willing to provide a stable and predictable environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in the country, and welcomes more Chinese students and tourists to visit, he added.

Albanese said Australia firmly supports multilateralism and free and fair trade, and is willing to work with China to address global challenges such as climate change and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.

Natural partners

In another meeting, Li said that the economic structures of China and Australia are highly complementary, with solid foundations for industrial and market integration, making the two countries natural partners.

China's vast market will continue to unleash immense consumption potential, creating more opportunities for enterprises from both countries, he said while attending the 8th China-Australia CEO Roundtable with Albanese in Beijing.

Li called on both sides to strengthen collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and life sciences to better empower industries in both countries.

When addressing the roundtable, Albanese said bilateral relations are steadily developing, with enthusiasm for cooperation soaring among the business communities of both countries.

Around 30 representatives from business councils and enterprises of the two countries attended the roundtable.

(With input from Xinhua)