Australia, China foreign ministers meet to discuss trade, defence and human rights | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Australia, China foreign ministers meet to discuss trade, defence and human rights

World+Biz

Reuters
20 March, 2024, 08:45 am
Last modified: 20 March, 2024, 08:51 am

Related News

  • Bangladeshi mangoes enter Chinese markets to boost bilateral trade: Ambassador Yao
  • Residents pick up the pieces one day after deadly China chemical blast
  • Mango exports to China begins tomorrow
  • Weak Chinese demand leaves Australia with too much wheat
  • Australia floods recovery could take several months: Albanese

Australia, China foreign ministers meet to discuss trade, defence and human rights

Australia and China, its largest trading partner, are rebuilding ties after a period of strained relations which hit a low in 2020 after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origin of COVID-19

Reuters
20 March, 2024, 08:45 am
Last modified: 20 March, 2024, 08:51 am
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong at Parliament House, in Canberra, 20 March 2024. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP/via REUTERS
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong at Parliament House, in Canberra, 20 March 2024. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP/via REUTERS

Australia will prepare for a visit by China's Premier Li Qiang this year, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after meeting her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Canberra for talks which Australia said covered human rights, tariffs, defence and regional security.

Australia and China, its largest trading partner, are rebuilding ties after a period of strained relations which hit a low in 2020 after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origin of COVID-19. 

Beijing responded by imposing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Australian commodity imports, most of which have been lifted since a change of government in Canberra two years ago.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"I look forward to speaking frankly with you about Australians detained in China, human rights, maritime security and safety, as well as regional and international issues, such as the Pacific, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East," Wong said in her opening remarks.

"Dialogue enables us to manage our differences. We both know it does not eliminate them. Australia will always be Australia and China will always be China."

After the meeting, Wong addressed Chinese and Australian reporters and said the two nations would work to prepare for a visit by Li, emphasising the importance of face-to-face diplomacy to better understand each other.

Australia and China would expand dialogue on the Pacific, and on climate and energy cooperation, Wong said.

"I expressed our serious concern about unsafe conduct at sea, our desire for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in our region," she said, a reference to friction with China's navy in the South China Sea.

While Beijing has made an interim decision to remove Chinese tariffs on Australian wine - one of the commodities hit by import charges after 2020 - Wong said Australia also wanted blocks lifted on beef and lobster, and they had discussed nickel market volatility.

Wong said she raised the case of Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer who was given a suspended death sentence by a Beijing court last month, and told Wang Australians were shocked by the sentence. 

'MUTUAL RESPECT, COMMON GROUND'

According to a Chinese foreign ministry statement, Wang said he hoped Australia will take practical measures to uphold the principles of the market economy and provide a non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in Australia.

He highlighted the need for independence, a likely reference to China's view that Australia's foreign policy is dominated by Canberra's strategic alliance with the United States, and said China-Australia relations are on the right track and should not go backward. 

A reference to Australia needing to have an independent foreign policy that appeared in the Chinese foreign ministry's first Chinese language statement did not appear in a longer version issued later.

"The most fundamental thing is to insist on mutual respect, the most crucial thing is to insist on seeking common ground while reserving differences, the most important thing is to insist on mutual benefit and win-win situation, and the most valuable thing is to insist on independence and autonomy," he said according to the transcript.

The last time a Chinese foreign minister visited Australia was in 2017 and Wang's visit signals a thaw in diplomatic ties.

Wang will also hold talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and hold a private meeting with 11 business, university and think tank representatives. He will meet former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, a prominent supporter of China who has criticised Australia's AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal with the US, on Thursday. 

australia / China / diplomatic relations

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Leaders and activists of BNP gather at Nayapaltan ahead of the rally of three BNP affiliated organisations on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    'We wanted election roadmap from Yunus, not staged resignation': Salahuddin at BNP rally
  • File Photo: Reuters
    Bangladeshi cos expecting increased costs due to tariffs, yet extremely optimistic about int'l growth: HSBC survey
  • Photo: Collected
    HC overturns graft convictions of Tarique, Zubaida

MOST VIEWED

  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Depositors need not worry as govt will take over banks before merger: BB governor
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Photo: Collected
    DU student assaulted for protesting eve-teasing at Chadni Chowk
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Protest at Secretariat suspended as govt assures decision on ordinance tomorrow

Related News

  • Bangladeshi mangoes enter Chinese markets to boost bilateral trade: Ambassador Yao
  • Residents pick up the pieces one day after deadly China chemical blast
  • Mango exports to China begins tomorrow
  • Weak Chinese demand leaves Australia with too much wheat
  • Australia floods recovery could take several months: Albanese

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Donald Trump warns Vladimir Putin he is 'playing with fire' over Ukraine

Donald Trump warns Vladimir Putin he is 'playing with fire' over Ukraine

43m | TBS World
Families of those injured and martyred in the July coup protest in the capital

Families of those injured and martyred in the July coup protest in the capital

1h | TBS Today
Trump administration suspends student visas in the US indefinitely

Trump administration suspends student visas in the US indefinitely

2h | TBS World
Crowds throng BNP’s youth rally

Crowds throng BNP’s youth rally

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net