There is no fundamental conflict of interests between China and Australia, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.
Xi made the remarks when meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Xi noted that last November, he had sound and in-depth talks with Albanese in Beijing on strategic, overarching and fundamental issues concerning the long-term development of China-Australia relations. Over the past year, the two countries have maintained close communication at all levels, actively promoted the implementation of the important consensus they reached, and made positive progress, he said.
Stressing that there is no fundamental conflict of interests between China and Australia, Xi said as long as the two sides adhere to mutual respect, treat each other as equals, and seek common ground while shelving differences, China-Australia relations will surely develop well.
China is ready to work with Australia to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and inject more stability and certainty into the region and the world at large, Xi said.
He pointed out that more than 250 Australian companies participated in this year's China International Import Expo, a record high, which is a "vote of confidence" by Australian companies in China's economy and cooperation between the two countries.
Highlighting that the two sides should be firm in expanding the pattern of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, Xi said China is willing to import more quality Australian products, encourage Chinese companies to invest and do business in Australia, and hope that Australia will provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.
He underscored that both China and Australia are supporters and defenders of economic globalization and free trade, urging the two sides to strengthen coordination and cooperation, oppose protectionism, and promote the sharing of opportunities and benefits among various countries via opening up, so as to realize common development.
Albanese said he is very glad to meet with President Xi again on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Australia-China comprehensive strategic partnership.
Since his visit to China last year, Albanese said, the Australia-China relationship has made encouraging progress in various areas, including trade, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.
The Australian side stays committed to the one-China principle, opposes "decoupling," advocates promoting economic globalization, and hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as energy transition and climate change, he said.
Noting that China's development has made important contributions to the long-term stability and growth of the Asia-Pacific region, Albanese said that Australia appreciates China's important role in APEC and other multilateral mechanisms, supports China's role as the host of APEC in 2026, and stands ready to strengthen multilateral communication with China to promote regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.
Xi arrived in Brazil on Sunday to attend the G20 summit scheduled for Monday and Tuesday and pay a state visit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Created in 1999, the G20 is a main forum for international cooperation on financial and economic issues and comprises 19 countries plus the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).
Xi says no fundamental conflict of interests exists between China, Australia
Xi says no fundamental conflict of interests exists between China, Australia
Xi says no fundamental conflict of interests exists between China, Australia
