BEIJING: Improvement of China-Australia relations serves the fundamental interests of both sides and meets the common expectations of the two peoples and the international community, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.
Wang made the remarks during a phone conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the latter’s request.
Wong said recently, Australia and China have maintained effective communication and contact. With unremitting efforts, bilateral relations have witnessed positive changes.
Australia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and develop more stable and mutually beneficial relations with China on the basis of mutual respect, she said, adding that a sound Australia-China relationship is not incompatible with safeguarding respective national interests.
Australia has no intention to magnify existing differences and is ready to properly handle specific issues in a responsible manner within the framework of the Australia-China comprehensive strategic partnership, she said.
For his part, Wang said the two sides should continue to adhere to the consensus on the basic orientation of the comprehensive strategic partnership, uphold the spirit of mutual respect, seek common ground while shelving differences, and work toward the goal of mutual benefit and win-win results.
The two sides should jointly make positive contributions to addressing current global challenges, he added.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
