After meeting with Premier Li Qiang, during which the fate of arrested pro-democracy writer Yang Hengjun was discussed, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia’s relationship with China had been “renewed and revitalised”.
During the annual leaders’ summit in Canberra today, Albanese and China’s second-highest ranking official signed five memorandums of understanding pertaining to trade, education, the economy, climate change, and cultural exchanges.
Earlier this year, the family of Chinese-Australian writer Yang, who is currently incarcerated and facing a suspended death sentence, had urged Albanese to demand the release of the pro-democracy campaigner at their meeting with Li.
Along with a host of other issues, including intervention from outside, Albanese claimed to have brought up the matter with the Chinese premier.
“I certainly raised our issues in the Pacific as well as other issues including human rights, Dr Yang’s case, as well as the Australians who are on death row,” he stated.
“We of course in Australia oppose capital punishment and I reiterated our position there.”
He claimed that depending on the subject, Li and the other members of the Chinese delegation responded differently to Australia’s concerns.
“On some issues, there’s immediate agreement, on some issues there is not,” Albanese stated.
“We have differences of opinion but it’s important that we be able to express those, that we’re able to be constructive about it.”
After the five Memorandums of Understanding were signed, the prime minister stated that communication was essential to Australia’s relationship with China.
“It is always most effective when we deal directly with each other,” Albanese stated.
“In this way, we advance our common goals and safeguard the stability of the area.
We are unable to resolve any disagreements that may occur between us without communication.
“Australia and China have renewed and revitalised our engagement including a framework for us to work together to tackle climate change.”
The meeting, according to Li, was “candid, in-depth, and fruitful”.
“In less than one year, Prime Minister Albanese and I have met multiple times and exchanged visits to each other’s country,” he stated.
“This shows that our countries attach great importance to our relationship, and that this relationship is on the right track of steady improvement and development.”
The Chinese premier stated that they “had a candid exchange of views on some differences and disagreements, and agreed to properly manage them in a manner befitting our comprehensive strategic partnership” without mentioning Yang in his remarks.
Prior to the conference, pro-China fans and demonstrators denouncing the Asian superpower’s human rights record had battled outside Parliament House.
The two groups were divided by police who set up barricades to keep them apart.
Now, Albanese and Li are on their way to Perth for the last day of the state visit by the Chinese leader.
