What Penny Wong will discuss with Wang Yi during a visit to China

KEY POINTS
  • Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for official talks in Beijing.
  • The couple discussed the trade sanctions imposed on Australia by China, global rules and regulations and the fate of the two detained Australians.
  • Senator Wong became the first Australian foreign minister in four years to be invited to diplomatic talks.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a visit to Beijing as part of historic diplomatic talks.
The couple discussed the trade sanctions imposed on Australia by China, global rules and regulations and the fate of the two detained Australians.
Senator Wong told reporters after the couple agreed to further discussion.
“We remain of the view that we can develop our bilateral relationship and advance our respective national interests if we intelligently bridge our differences, and that is a challenge for this generation,” she said after the meeting.

“I have laid out our position on issues that I know are so important to Australians and important to the government – ​​relevant consular issues, trade blockades, human rights, as well as regional security, international security and the norms and global rules that underlie our prosperity”.

Senator Wong said that trade sanctions imposed on Australian goods were raised in discussions, saying that the lifting of sanctions is beneficial to both countries.
“There was discussion about opportunities for further dialogue on how we could do something that I think is in the best interests of both countries and consumers in both countries,” she said.
The Australian Foreign Minister said she also advocated consular access for detained Australians in China, including journalist Cheng Lei.
“During these discussions, we advocated a number of things. These include reuniting these Australians with their families as soon as possible,” she said.

“Obviously COVID has created some problems, but the point is that Australia really believes that these Australians should be given proper consular access.”

“Lessons need to be learned,” says Wang Yi.

The visit, for the first time in four years, an Australian Foreign Minister was invited to Beijing for diplomatic talks, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China.
Mr. Wang opened the meeting with a three-minute speech before Senator Wong responded with opening remarks, each minister nodding while the other spoke.
“We are ready to work with you to implement the important points of the agreement between our leaders, to use the 50th anniversary as an important opportunity to renew our original aspirations,” Mr. Wang said in his speech.

“In the past few years, our relationship has faced difficulties and setbacks. This is what we don’t want to see. Lessons must be learned.”

A man and a woman, dressed in suits and coats, walk around Beijing.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets with Australian Ambassador to China Graham Fletcher at the State Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing. A source: AARP / LUKAS KOCH

“The ice is melting, but slowly,” says Penny Wong.

Earlier Wednesday, Senator Wong met with Australian Ambassador to China Graham Fletcher at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guest House.
“The ice is melting, but slowly,” she said as the couple walked through the garden, the temperature was +6 degrees.

Traveling media seized on the comment, asking the minister if she wanted to “break the ice” with Mr. Wang.

Senator Wong traveled to Beijing with a small Australian contingent, including the Foreign Office and Trade Secretary Ian Adams, and half a dozen other officials.
She and Mr Fletcher have signaled that Australia wants to return to holding annual leaders’ meetings between Australia and China, as well as annual talks between the treasurer, trade secretary and their Chinese counterparts.
Senator Wong thanked the ambassador and embassy staff for their hard work under difficult circumstances.

“It has been a difficult period in relationships and a difficult period due to all the COVID lockdowns,” she said.

She then asked Mr. Fletcher about the existing bilateral agreement between Australia and China and how those countries could benefit from enhanced ties.
“A key part of that is what you are doing today after the strategic dialogue with the Foreign Office with the annual leaders’ meeting for the prime minister,” Mr. Fletcher replied.
“But another key element is the strategic economic dialogue, which brings the treasurer and trade secretary together with their counterparts.

“These three elements together allow us to cover the full range of our interests here in a relationship that, as you know, is very broad.”