China, Australia agree to resume all-round dialogue, strengthen cooperation

China and Australia agreed to resume all-round dialogue and further strengthen cooperation after the seventh round of China-Australia diplomatic and strategic dialogue in Australian capital Canberra on Wednesday.

In the dialogue led by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, the two sides agreed to resume and establish dialogue in all areas and carry out cooperation in more fields including diplomacy, economy, trade, technology, education and law enforcement. The two sides also agreed to actively launch a dialogue on maritime affairs and take further measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.

Draw lessons from the past

During their meeting in 2022, Wang said they had agreed to make efforts to break the ice and since then, exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have gradually resumed. Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said the two sides should build on the current momentum and work together to build more mature, stable and fruitful bilateral relationship.

Looking back on the development of bilateral ties in the past 10 years, Wang said the two countries have experienced ups and downs, which helped both sides draw lessons and accumulate valuable experience.

"The most fundamental principle for developing China-Australia relations is mutual respect. China never interferes in Australia's internal affairs and respects its political system and national path. Similarly, we hope the Australian side can continue to honor the commitments it has made since the establishment of diplomatic ties and respect China's sovereignty, dignity and legitimate concerns, and properly handle them," Wang said.

Wang emphasized China's stance on its Taiwan region, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Xizang Autonomous Region, saying there are no historical grievances or conflicts of fundamental interests between China and Australia, and the common interests of the two countries far outweigh the differences.

The two sides should practice the basic norm of international law of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and promote the sustained, steady and sound development of bilateral relations, he added.

He stressed that in developing bilateral relations, the two sides must adhere to mutual respect and mutual benefit, seek common ground while shelving differences, and maintain independent diplomatic policies.