It is encouraging to see that despite the differences that still exist between them, Australia and China have maintained effective communication and contact, and are working for the easing and improvement of Sino-Australian relations, which serves the fundamental interests of both. This is especially significant given that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The telephone conversation between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on Tuesday, during which they both expressed willingness to rebuild mutual trust and bring bilateral relations back on track, reflects the great importance the two countries attach to their comprehensive strategic partnership.
There is no denying that bilateral relations have run into difficulties in recent years, which has led to a downturn in Chinese investment in Australia as well as increasing trading disputes between the two countries. This, as Wang has previously noted, is mainly because some political forces in Australia insist on seeing China as an adversary rather than a partner, and portraying China’s development as a threat rather than an opportunity.
Australia was the first country to exclude Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from the development of its 5G network, and has been closely toeing the line of the United States’ “Indo-Pacific strategy” to contain China, for example, by taking a confrontational stance toward the country on such issues as the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Yet despite this, the common interests of China and Australia far outweigh their differences, and some progress has been made to ease their strained relations since a new government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to power in May.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. And the bilateral economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, which is carried out in the spirit of mutual respect and seeks common ground while shelving differences, has brought tangible benefits to both sides and the broader region. The Albanese government should know that the improvement of China-Australia relations serves the fundamental interests of both sides and meets the common expectations of the two peoples and the international community.
In their talks by telephone on Tuesday, Wong reiterated to Wang that Australia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and seek to develop more stable and mutually beneficial relations with China on the basis of mutual respect.
China values its relations with Australia, nd egards ustralia s n important partner or ialogue nd ooperation. So long as the two countries meet each other halfway by working together toward the goal of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, they will surely be able to rebuild mutual trust and pave the way for the sound and healthy development of Sino-Australian relations in the future.
Editorial, China Daily
