Chinese, Australian FMs hold strategic dialogue

BEIJING - Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong held the sixth China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that Wong's visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and this visit has a symbolic significance.

China and Australia have neither historical grievances nor fundamental conflicts of interest, he said, adding that both sides should and can be mutually-needed partners of cooperation.

Maintaining the healthy and stable development of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership fully serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is also conducive to promoting peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, Wang said.

China appreciates the willingness of the new Australian government to improve and develop bilateral relations, Wang said, adding that the two sides should jointly implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries to achieve this goal.