Anthony Albanese meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali to discuss bilateral relationship

Anthony Albanese has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali to discuss how to work towards a more stable relationship.

The Prime Minister told the leader the two countries needed to manage the challenges of recovering from COVID, climate change and supply chain shocks.

“As we manage these challenges we need to work towards a stable, prosperous and peaceful Indo-Pacific and an international system that is governed by international law and the principles that are enshrined in the United Nations Charter,” he said.

“We have had our differences and Australia won’t resile from our interests or our values. But our bilateral relationship is an important one.”

He said he looked forward to a constructive exchange and dialogue.

Mr Xi, who spoke in Chinese, opened the meeting by congratulating Mr Albanese on his appointment as Prime Minister.

“China-Australia relations used to be in the forefront of China’s relations with developed countries for a long time. This is worth cherishing,” he said, according to a media translation of his remarks.

“In the past few years, China-Australia’s relationship has run into some difficulties. That was not what we were willing to see.”

He noted that since becoming Australia’s leader, Mr Albanese had said multiple times he would handle the relationship with China “in a mature manner”.

“I attach great importance to your opinion,” Jinping said.

Australian officials said talks covered challenges to international peace and security, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; bilateral, trade, consular and human rights issues, and December’s 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The meeting lasted 32 minutes and was the first at leader level in six years.