On March 20, 2024 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a group meeting with Australian members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group in Canberra.
Wang Yi appreciated the members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group for their long-term care and support for the development of China-Australia relations. Noting that the China-Australia relationship concerns the well-being of the two peoples, Wang Yi said that the two sides should make it work and not mess it up. The journey since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries shows that China and Australia are partners, not rivals. China's development is an opportunity for Australia, not a threat. China is ready to enhance trust, dispel misunderstanding and eliminate disturbances with Australia. Taking the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's successful state visit to Australia and the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries as an opportunity, China is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels, take cooperation in various fields to new heights and build a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides should strengthen dialogue and communication on the basis of mutual respect and properly handle their differences. The members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group are welcome to China to visit more places and see more things.
Members of the Parliament of Australia attending the meeting said that the Australia-China relationship is of great importance. They welcomed the significant improvement and progress in Australia-China relations in recent years. Australia and China share many common interests and should not allow differences to define the bilateral relationship. The Parliament of Australia supports enhancing Australia-China dialogue and exchanges and looks forward to resuming and strengthening bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, education and other fields. Chinese students and tourists are welcome back to Australia.
