Wang Yi vows to develop ties with Australia along the right path

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed on Monday China's willingness to rebuild mutual trust with the new Australian government, expand common interests and move forward the China-Australia ties along the right path.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly high-level week.

Wang said the two sides are highly economically complementary, and they both support multilateralism, free trade and a peaceful solution of disputes.

China and Australia have more in common than in disagreement, Wang added.

Wang cited the new Australian government's policy to engage with China actively, saying that hopefully, this will help both countries learn from their past and bring the bilateral ties back onto a healthy path.

During the meeting, Wang also pointed out that the development of ties between China and some southern Pacific island nations will not affect the relationship between those island countries and other nations.

China and Australia don't have a conflict of interests on south Pacific issues, according to Wang.

We are willing to participate in a three-party cooperation with Australia according to the needs of the South Pacific island nations, to help them realize the Sustainable Development Goals for the period 2015-2030, Wang emphasized.

For his part, Payne conceded that there were some problems concerning the bilateral ties, but there are more needs for cooperation between the two.

She said the new Australian government is willing to discuss new ways of deepening the bilateral relationship with China based on mutual respect.

She also confirmed Australia's support of the one-China policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and more communication with China on multilateral and regional agendas.