China, Australia reaffirm strategic partnership, agree to deepen cooperation

China and Australia pledged on Wednesday to strengthen strategic communication and deepen cooperation, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong held the eighth China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.

During the talks, Wang noted that the foreign ministries of both countries have made positive efforts in recent years to steer China-Australia relations back on a sound track, and that the foreign and strategic dialogue has played a constructive role in enhancing mutual trust, reducing differences and promoting cooperation.

Amid rising global instability and uncertainties, Wang said that China is ready to work with Australia to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen communication and coordination, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and consolidate the positive momentum in bilateral ties, in a bid to bring more certainty to the region and the world.

He emphasized that the two countries should maintain high-level exchanges, enhance strategic mutual trust and expand areas of cooperation to continuously inject positive elements into the bilateral relationship.

On regional affairs, Wang made it clear that China's friendly cooperation with Pacific island countries is based on mutual respect, equality and a commitment to promoting the islands' development, and is not targeted at any third party. He expressed hope that Australia would view this cooperation objectively and rationally.

As the rotating chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, forum this year, China is willing to collaborate with all parties, including Australia, to reinvigorate the Asia-Pacific community and contribute more to Asia-Pacific cooperation, Wang added.

He said China and Australia should jointly stand on the right side of history and on the side of multilateralism, jointly uphold the global free trade system and maintain the stability and smooth functioning of industrial and supply chains, play a constructive role in the political settlement of hotspot issues, and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

Elaborating on China's position on the Taiwan question, Wang emphasized that no one can separate Taiwan from China and the key to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

For her part, Wong said Australia is committed to developing its relations with China, and is willing to engage in candid communication, enhance mutual understanding, strengthen cooperation, and properly manage differences with China.

She reaffirmed that Australia adheres to the one-China principle, does not support "Taiwan independence", and hopes for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question.

Wong highlighted the high degree of economic complementarity between the two nations, saying that close cooperation in trade, the economy and other fields is in the mutual interest and conducive to the development of both countries.

She affirmed Australia's support for China's hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and hailed China's indispensable role in addressing international hotspot issues.

Noting that Pacific island countries are not the backyard of any nation, she said Australia does not exclude cooperation from any country aimed at promoting the development of these countries.

Australia stands against an unjust international system based on domination and subordination and is ready to work with China to uphold international rules, ensure energy security, and promote global peace, stability and prosperity, she added.