Australia, China announce joint statement following Annual Leaders’ Meeting

Li Qiang is currently touring Australia, including Adelaide, Canberra, and Perth, on an official visit from June 15 and 18.

During the visit to Canberra on 17 June, Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li Qiang held talks, jointly convened the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, and briefed the media.

During the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, leaders exchanged views on Australia-China relations, as well as important regional and international issues.

“I have long believed that ongoing dialogue is beneficial,” according to Prime Minister Albanese.

“Whatever the issue, it is always better if we deal direct with each other. And consistent, steady engagement helps build and maintain stability across our region.

“A region undergoing change and growth that matters to us both.

“What connects our nations today – and will into the future – goes beyond our economic opportunities and the dynamic region we are both part of.

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“The ties between our people are at the heart of it.

“Just as diplomacy and economic co-operation add to our prosperity, our human links add to the connection between our nations.

“Our people share an exchange of ideas and culture in many fields of endeavour, including trade, tourism, education and the diaspora.

“The Chinese-Australian community is a powerhouse of innovation, creativity and drive.

“Thanks to migration that began at the dawn of the 19th century, Australia is now home to 1.4 million people of Chinese ancestry.

“These diverse communities are an important part of the story of our modern nation.

“So it is important and fitting that you have joined us here in Australia’s Parliament House. A place that represents so much of who we are as a nation.

“Near where we are gathered now, a pair of ceremonial stone lions stand sentinel at the entrance to a formal garden.

“Carved from Han marble, they were a gift from China to commemorate the opening of Parliament House in Australia’s bicentennial year of 1988.

“This Parliament, the seat of our democracy, is fundamentally a place of dialogue.

“Where we recognise the importance of engaging with each other as we discuss competing views and work to find shared opportunities.

“Our recent efforts to engage in a dialogue on the issues affecting our people, our countries and our region have been most welcome.

“When I saw you and President Xi in Beijing, I spoke about stabilising the relationship.

“It is a relationship in which we must always be ready to engage with each other as mature nations.

“There is much that remains to be done, but it is clear that our nations are making progress in stabilising and rebuilding that crucial dialogue.

“We won’t always agree – and the points on which we disagree won’t simply disappear if we leave them in silence.

“We share an interest in protecting a stable order in our region.

“We share a responsibility to build and strengthen the foundation for talking through our differences and for building collaboration in areas where we do find mutual interest.

“Creating channels of dialogue and building understanding is how we make it possible for benefits to flow. Across business, trade and education. Climate and health. Culture and the arts.

“Together, let us continue to work towards a productive relationship in our national interests. A secure and stable region. A peaceful and prosperous future for our children.”

Both leaders reaffirmed their support for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, on the 10th anniversary of its establishment, and reiterated the importance of a mature, stable, and constructive bilateral relationship.

Consistent with the Statement on Joint Outcomes issued in Beijing in November 2023, the two sides reiterated the importance of the 1972 Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and Australia and restated their commitment to their respective national policies and positions contained therein, including mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, stable development, and Australia’s commitment to its one-China policy.

They agreed to continue to grow the bilateral relationship and uphold their respective national interests. They agreed both sides would continue to navigate their differences wisely.

The leaders acknowledged the importance of regular engagement between leaders, ministers, and officials on both sides in support of the ongoing stabilisation and development of the bilateral relationship. They welcomed the progress that had been made to hold key bilateral dialogues since the last Annual Leaders’ Meeting in November 2023, including the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue and Joint Ministerial Economic Commission. They confirmed plans to resume the Strategic Economic Dialogue in 2024.

The two sides once again reaffirmed the importance of the UN Charter and the WTO. They agreed to continue to work together in the United Nations, WTO, G20, APEC, East Asia Summit, and other multilateral platforms. The two sides attached importance to cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).

The two sides welcomed the further increase of people-to-people exchanges and highlighted the important role these played in deepening the bilateral relationship. They welcomed the increasing number of students, tourists, and business people travelling in both directions, underpinned by the growing number of direct flights. They welcomed the implementation of arrangements to facilitate exchanges, including reciprocal access to multi-entry visas of up to three to five years’ duration for business, tourism, and visiting family members. They welcomed the important role played by the Australia-China High Level Dialogue and plans to hold the next session later this year in Adelaide. Australia and China welcomed cooperation on the conservation of giant pandas.

The leaders witnessed the signature of MOUs on Education and Research, Climate Change, the Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, Further Enhancing the Implementation of China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and the 15th Implementation Program for Cultural Exchanges for 2024-2027 under the 1981 Agreement on Cultural Cooperation.

The leaders agreed to continue or expand engagement in: