Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, stated during a meeting with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong that China’s cooperation with South Pacific island countries is not aimed at any third party and hopes Australia will view it rationally.
According to the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi held the 8th round of China-Australia Diplomatic and Strategic Dialogue with Wong in Beijing on the 29th.
Wang Yi said that the current international situation is marked by intertwined changes and upheavals, and factors of instability and uncertainty are at an all-time high. China is willing to work with Australia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders last year, strengthen communication and coordination, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidate the positive momentum in bilateral relations, and truly put the comprehensive strategic partnership into practice, thus providing more certainty for the region and the world.
He said that China and Australia should maintain high-level exchanges, enhance strategic mutual trust, expand areas of cooperation, and continuously add positive factors to bilateral relations. Exchanges in culture and people-to-people ties between China and Australia serve the interests of both sides. The two governments should do more to enhance mutual understanding, and he hopes Australia will truly safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese personnel.
Wang Yi emphasized that China’s friendly cooperation with Pacific island countries adheres to mutual respect and equality, is committed to promoting the development of these island nations, and is not aimed at any third party. The Australian side should view this objectively and rationally. As the rotating chair of APEC, China is willing to strengthen cooperation with all parties, including Australia, to revitalize and reinvigorate the Asia-Pacific community process and make greater contributions to Asia-Pacific cooperation.
According to foreign media reports, Wong stated at a press conference after meeting with Wang Yi on Wednesday that the Chinese government has agreed to cooperate with Australian companies on the supply of aviation kerosene.