Australia's Kangaroo Land Becomes Western Nuclear Submarine Base, Yet Foreign Minister Heads to China
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is scheduled to visit China from 28-30 April 2026. This visit is aimed at maintaining the momentum in improving bilateral relations while discussing various strategic issues in the region.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that during the visit, Penny Wong will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two will jointly lead the eighth Foreign and Strategic Dialogue between the two countries.
“In addition, the two ministers will engage in in-depth discussions on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues,” Lin Jian said during a press conference in Beijing on Monday (27/4).
Diplomatic relations between China and Australia have been established since 1972. In 2014, the two countries agreed to elevate their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The last visit by an Australian leader to China was by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in July 2025.
Lin Jian emphasised that China hopes this visit will strengthen mutual understanding between the leaders of the two countries, enhance political trust, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.
“China continues to promote stable, healthy, and sustainable China-Australia relations, as well as deliver greater benefits to the two peoples,” he said.
On the other hand, relations between the two countries are not entirely without dynamics. Australia remains committed to the “One China” policy by not recognising Taiwan, but it frequently raises human rights issues in China. These issues include freedom of expression, freedom of religion, treatment of political prisoners, and the conditions of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet.
In the economic sphere, China is Australia’s largest trading partner. For the 2024-2025 period, the value of trade in goods and services between the two countries reached US$309 billion, contributing around 24 per cent to Australia’s total trade.