FM trip to aid stability in Asia
China is sending strong signals to further reinforce peace and stability and better manage differences with nations in the Asia-Pacific region, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi scheduled to make official visits to New Zealand and Australia from Sunday through March 21, observers said.
The last time a Chinese foreign minister visited the two countries was in 2017. This year marks the 10th anniversary of China's comprehensive strategic partnerships with New Zealand and Australia.
During his trip, Wang Yi will have wide-ranging and in-depth exchange of views with the foreign ministers and leaders of both countries on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.
The visit will kick off this year's high-level exchanges between China and the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.
"China looks forward to working with the two countries to implement the consensus reached by the leaders, strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen exchanges and cooperation," the spokesman said.
China wants to jointly advance stable and far-reaching growth of its comprehensive strategic partnerships with New Zealand and Australia, and make contributions to world peace, stability, development and prosperity, he added.
Chen Hong, professor and director of the Australian Studies Centre at East China Normal University in Shanghai, said the relationship between Beijing and Wellington "has played a leading role in the relations between China and Western countries for quite a long time, and the ties have been constantly scaling new heights".
Currently, China is New Zealand's largest trading partner.
Chen pointed out that while China-New Zealand ties have delivered lasting growth, Beijing and Canberra have recently been working together to see more signs of improvement in their relationship after it plummeted to a low years ago.
"The incumbent cabinet of Australia has broken away from the anti-China approach of the past administration. Wang's upcoming visit will help keep afloat the improving momentum of the ties and roll out friendly discussions on specific topics such as commodity trade," he said.
The visit by Anthony Albanese to China in November was the first by an Australian prime minister since 2016.
During his visit to Australia, Wang Yi will hold the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with his counterpart Penny Wong.
Albanese told reporters on Thursday that "it is a good thing that Wang Yi is visiting", citing "significant progress" in removing trade impediments, AFP reported.
Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said that win-win cooperation between the two countries is "the only right choice".
"It is important that we shall not allow our differences to severely affect or even hijack our overall bilateral relations and cooperation," Xiao said on Monday during the Financial Review Business Summit 2024.
Related articles
Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
GREEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A judge has ordered a Michigan community to stop blocking efforts to br2024-05-21RHOM star Alexia Nepola's husband Todd files for DIVORCE after two years
Alexia Nepola and her husband Todd are calling it quits after two years of marriage.The couple, who2024-05-21Missing Kansas women confirmed dead, kids safe, 4 charged with kidnapping and murder
GUYMON, Okla. (AP) — Two Kansas women who went missing on a trip to Oklahoma to pick up children for2024-05-21The 39th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is around the corner
Located in the heartland of Northeast Asia, Harbin enjoys superior natural conditions, a special urb2024-05-21Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Knowledge advantage can save lives, win wars and avert disaster. At the Central Intelligence Agency,2024-05-21What do women want? Mandarin pop song lyrics reveal a shift, study shows — Radio Free Asia
Mandarin song lyrics written, performed by and aimed at Chinese women have seen a dramatic shift in2024-05-21
atest comment