PORT MORESBY – There is no "autopilot mode" for improving China-Australia relations, and restarting bilateral ties requires concrete actions, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.
Wang made the remarks when meeting the press during his visit to Papua New Guinea.
Wang stressed that improving China-Australia ties is a common aspiration of people of both countries and conforms to the trend of the times.
Noting that bilateral ties have run into difficulties in recent years, Wang Yi said the crux of the problem lies in the fact that some political forces in Australia insist on treating China as an adversary rather than a partner, and portraying China's development as a threat rather than an opportunity
Noting that bilateral ties have run into difficulties in recent years, Wang said the crux of the problem lies in the fact that some political forces in Australia insist on treating China as an adversary rather than a partner, and portraying China's development as a threat rather than an opportunity.
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Such moves have led to a significant reversal of Australia's positive and pragmatic China policy pursued for many years, he added.
Wang said the solution is to view China and China-Australia relations rationally and positively, respect each other, seek common ground while shelving differences, and create necessary conditions for bringing bilateral relations back on the right track.
Chinese FM sees cooperation between China, Pacific island countries energetic
Wang also said that the cooperation between China and Pacific island countries having diplomatic ties with China has been energetic.
China has practised the diplomatic vision of all countries, big or small, are equal through concrete actions, and he felt that Pacific island countries are enthusiastic and eager to develop relations with China.
Wang said during his visit, China and Pacific island countries signed a series of bilateral cooperation documents on Belt and Road, climate change, fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster prevention and mitigation, green development, health, agriculture, trade and tourism.
All the cooperation documents witness the solid progress of pragmatic cooperation between China and Pacific island countries and will add new impetus into economic development and well-being improvement of Pacific island countries, Wang noted.
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China has also issued a position paper on mutual respect and common development with Pacific island countries, Wang added.