HIGH-RANKING officials welcomed Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during a brief visit to Australia this week.
His Australian counterpart Penny Wong hosted the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue. The two foreign ministers reached important political consensus to accelerate the improvement of bilateral ties as Wang emphasized the importance of mutual respect and Beijing’s non-interference in Australia’s internal affairs.
In meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Australian leader spoke highly of China’s achievements in development and poverty alleviation, and Canberra’s willingness to maintain high-level exchanges with Beijing.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating in Sydney where he showed his appreciation for the latter’s long-term concern and support to forge closer ties between their countries.
China’s top diplomat also urged his Australian counterparts not to let any third party disrupt their stabilizing relations.
Wang Yi visited New Zealand and Australia for the first time in seven years. The regional tour started on Sunday in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.
