China Invites Australia to Strengthen Global Multilateralism

Beijing (ANTARA) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi invited Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to support multilateralism during the eighth round of the China-Australia Diplomatic and Strategic Dialogue in Beijing on Wednesday (29/4).

“China and Australia should stand on the right side of history and the side of multilateralism, jointly safeguard the global free trade system as well as the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains, play a constructive role in the political settlement of international hotspot issues, and promote the establishment of a fairer and more rational global governance system,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a written statement on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accessed by ANTARA on Thursday.

“In recent years, the foreign ministries of the two countries have jointly made positive efforts to promote the recovery and development of China-Australia relations in a better direction. The diplomatic strategic dialogue has played an active role in enhancing mutual trust, reducing differences, and promoting cooperation,” Wang Yi added.

At present, the international situation is filled with interconnected changes and turmoil, with unprecedentedly increasing factors of instability and uncertainty.

China, Wang Yi revealed, is willing to work with the Australian side to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen communication and coordination, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidate the positive momentum of bilateral relations, and truly realise the comprehensive strategic partnership to provide certainty for the region and the world.

“People-to-people exchanges between China and Australia also align with the interests of both sides, and the governments of the two countries need to do more beneficial things to enhance mutual understanding. We hope that Australia will practically guarantee the safety as well as the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens,” Wang Yi stated.

In addition, Wang Yi noted that cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, which are Australia’s closest neighbours, adheres to the principles of mutual respect and equality, and aims to promote the development of those countries, without targeting any third party.

“Australia should view this objectively and rationally,” Wang Yi added.

Then, as the rotating chair of APEC, China will work with all parties, including Australia, to reactivate and revitalise the Asia-Pacific community process and make greater contributions to regional cooperation.

Wang Yi also elaborated in depth on China’s position on the Taiwan issue, emphasising that no one will ever be allowed to separate Taiwan from China.

“The key to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is to firmly oppose ‘Taiwan independence’,” Wang Yi stated.

Meanwhile, Penny Wong stated that Australia is committed to developing relations with China and is willing to communicate openly, enhance understanding, strengthen cooperation, and properly handle differences.

“Australia adheres to the one-China policy, does not support ‘Taiwan independence’, and hopes that the Taiwan issue can be resolved peacefully,” said Foreign Minister Penny.

She also noted that the economies of Australia and China are highly complementary, and close cooperation in trade and other sectors benefits the development of both countries and aligns with common interests.

“Australia actively supports China as the host of the Informal Leaders’ Meeting of APEC. Pacific island countries are also not anyone’s ‘backyard’, so we do not reject any country from cooperating to support the development of those countries,” Foreign Minister Penny explained.

As a major world power, Penny said China plays an irreplaceable role in resolving important international issues.

“Australia does not support the formation of an unfair international system based on domination and subordination, and is willing to work with China to uphold international rules, ensure energy security, and promote world peace, stability, and prosperity,” it was stated.

Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Penny Wong also discussed the situation in the Middle East and other issues.

China is known as Australia’s largest two-way trading partner, contributing 24 percent of goods and services trade in 2024-2025 with a total value of 309 billion US dollars. Australia’s goods and services exports to China reached 189 billion US dollars in 2024-2025, or 29 percent of Australia’s goods and services exports.

China also ranks as the eighth largest foreign investor in Australia with a foreign investment value of 36 billion US dollars at the end of 2024, targeting investments in the mining, infrastructure, and health sectors. Meanwhile, the value of Australian investment in China is 2 billion US dollars at the end of 2024.

Australia also remains one of the popular destinations for Chinese students wishing to study abroad. China continues to be the largest source of international students for Australia.

However, Australia has a trilateral security pact with the United Kingdom and the United States called AUKUS since 15 September 2021.

Under the pact, the US and UK will assist Australia in developing and deploying nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines, in addition to deploying Western military forces in the Pacific region.

The Chinese government has long opposed AUKUS and the development of nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific region.