China's new ambassador says relations with Australia on right track

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 03:02 · Archive

China's new ambassador to Australia has said relations between the two countries are advancing across a range of areas.

China's new ambassador to Australia, Liu Jinsong, has declared that relations between the two countries are on 'the right track' of stable development. In his first major speech since taking up the posting in August, Mr Liu said diplomatic ties with Australia were advancing across a range of areas. He told an Australia China Business Council event at Parliament House that 'treating each other as equals is the cornerstone of our engagement'.

Mr Liu acknowledged that disagreements between the two countries may persist. 'It's perfectly normal to have differences. It would be unrealistic to expect none,' he said. He argued that what mattered was managing those differences 'rationally, smartly' whilst growing the bilateral relationship. He said cooperation was 'about making the shared cake bigger, while managing differences appropriately' and that disagreements should never 'define our bilateral relationship'.

The ambassador's comments come after a period of thawing in ties. China had imposed billions of dollars in tariffs on Australian goods including beef, wine and seafood following the COVID pandemic, but these were gradually eased after Australia's 2022 election. Mr Liu emphasised that respect between the partners needed to flow both ways. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for the fifth time during the APEC summit being hosted in Shenzhen in November.

How it is being reported

• 'Right track': new ambassador's view of China tiesChina's new ambassador to Australia has praised the stabilising relationship, as well as Canberra's coach services, in his first major speech.The West Australian · 15 Oct, 02:45
• 'Right track': new ambassador's view of China tiesChina's new ambassador to Australia has praised the stabilising relationship, as well as Canberra's coach services, in his first major speech.Perth Now · 15 Oct, 02:44

In this story: Liu Jinsong · Anthony Albanese · Xi Jinping · China · Australia

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