The way forward for China-Australia relations: mutual respect, freedom, economic and trade cooperation – Dainik Savera Times

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia. China-Australia relations have experienced ups and downs over the past 10 years. The main reason for this is that the former Australian government blindly followed the US containment policy against China. Because of this, bilateral relations gradually deteriorated. However, China-Australia relations have begun to warm after the Australian Labor Party came to power in 2022.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Albanese met and Albanese also visited China, considered an important milestone in improving bilateral relations. Recently Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Australia. During the visit both sides openly discussed many issues. China stressed that now that China-Australia relations are back on the right track, both sides should move forward without hesitation.

The Australian side said China-Australia relations should not be defined by differences and disagreements, but should seek the common interests of both sides. Efforts need to be made in three aspects to ensure that China-Australia relations do not deteriorate. First, both parties must respect each other and resolve differences. Australia especially needs to respect China’s core interests and core concerns.

China stressed its stance on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet and the South China Sea, while Australia stressed that it has always adhered to the one-China policy and will continue to adhere to it in the future.
Despite the warmth in Sino-Australian relations, some problems still exist. For example, last year Australia and the Philippines held joint military exercises in the South China Sea for the first time, and this year Australia raised the South China Sea issue at a special summit hosted by ASEAN.

These actions are clearly detrimental to the development of bilateral relations. Only by respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns can China-Australia relations continue to move forward. Furthermore, the development of China-Australia relations requires independence. Australia is both an ally of the US and a partner of China, and it is also a sovereign country. China emphasizes that the development of China-Australia relations is not targeted at third parties,

Nor should it be influenced or interfered with by third parties. Australia should not become a “pawn” in geopolitical confrontation, but rather benefit its people and the entire region through genuine cooperation. Economic and trade cooperation is the most active and driving force in the development of China-Australia relations. China has been Australia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and trade between the two countries has become easier. According to Australian data, the total trade in goods between China and Australia is expected to increase by 8.2% year-on-year in 2023.

Also reached the height of a new historical record. Australia’s coal, logs, barley, hay and other products have re-entered the Chinese market, and the two countries have reached agreement in principle on trade disputes such as Australian wine exports to China. Currently, China is comprehensively promoting Chinese-style modernization and providing more opportunities to countries around the world, including Australia. Australian business leaders express confidence in China’s future development

and real investment in China increased by 186.1%. In addition to traditional areas, Australia is also willing to actively explore new cooperation opportunities with China, such as green development and technological innovation. Both China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific and have no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interests with each other. The stable, strong and lasting development of China-Australia relations is in the common interests of the two peoples and is also the common expectation of regional countries.

(Courtesy- China Media Group, Beijing)