On September 18, the ninth Meeting of the China-Australia High-Level Dialogue, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR), was held in Beijing.
This meeting coincides with the tenth anniversary of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. The two economies are highly complementary, and the dialogue is expected to continuously inject stability and constructiveness into bilateral relations. As the only Track 1.5 dialogue mechanism between China and Australia at present, this meeting has attracted much attention. Professor Wang Dong, Full Professor with Tenure at School of International Studies, Peking University and Executive Director of the iGCU was invited to attend the meeting.
Approximately 40 participants from both sides, comprising senior officials from the relevant government departments of the two countries, and representatives from the business, academic, media, and cultural circles, attended the meeting.
Head of the Chinese delegation and CPIFA Honorary President Li Zhaoxing said in his opening remarks that thanks to the joint efforts in recent years, China and Australia are more determined and clearer about the direction of developing our bilateral relations. We need to cherish and maintain the hard-won momentum of improvement in China-Australia relations, and proactively follow up on the important common understandings reached between our leaders. Both sides should uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while shelving differences, pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, stand together through thick and thin, avoid disruptions, and strive for a bright future of China-Australia relations. Thus, let the two countries make a new contribution to the reform and improvement of the global governance system and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Head of the Australian delegation and former Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson said in his opening remarks that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a successful visit to China shortly after his reelection, which was a signal of the importance of the bilateral relationship. The two sides should enhance dialogue to define areas where Australia and China can deepen cooperation as well as address and manage differences. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Australia-China free trade agreement. Since 2015, the bilateral trade volume has increased significantly. The Australian delegation for this dialogue is from diverse sectors, including agriculture, resources, education, etc. We look forward to the continuation of a conversation on important matters.
In November 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid an official visit to China. The leaders of both countries engaged in in-depth discussions on China-Australia relations as well as international and regional issues. China and Australia issued the "Joint Statement of Outcomes of the Annual Leaders' Meeting between China and Australia," which mentioned that both sides welcomed the resumption of the China-Australia High-Level Dialogue. In June 2024, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council paid an official visit to Australia, held talks with Prime Minister Albanese, and jointly conducted the annual China-Australia leaders' meeting. The outcomes statement noted that both sides welcomed the important role played by the China-Australia High-Level Dialogue.
The China-Australia High-Level Dialogue is currently the only track 1.5 dialogue mechanism between China and Australia.
source: Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs
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