Australian PM Meets Chinese President in First Visit Since 2016 Amid Improving Relations and Trade Ties

Trade, human rights issues and renewal of diplomatic dialogue at the forefront of Australian PM's first state visit to China since 2016, as both leaders stress engagement despite differences.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on a key official visit to China, aimed at enhancing relations after a string of trade and security disputes.
Albanese's visit marks the first by an Australian leader since 2016, highlighting the importance of the diplomatic outreach.
In his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, trade tops the agenda, with Albanese calling for the removal of Chinese tariffs on Australian goods.
Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who has been imprisoned on espionage charges in China since 2019, is a key point of concern in the dialogue between the two leaders.
Long-standing issues such as human rights, China’s increasing influence in the Pacific Islands, and Australia's increasingly military alignment with the US and the West may pose significant challenges in the dialogue.
Despite disagreements, Xi Jinping has expressed optimism about improving relations, stressing mutual trust, and a lack of fundamental conflicts of interests between the countries.