On the afternoon of October 14, at the Great Hall of the People, Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, held talks with Richard Leane, President of the Australian Senate.
Zhang commented on the state of China-Australia relations, highlighting that over the past two years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the two countries have emerged from a low point and have returned to a path of healthy and stable development. He expressed China’s willingness to work hand in hand with Australia to enhance political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote a more mature, stable, and productive comprehensive strategic partnership.
He noted that dialogues in various fields between the two nations are progressing in an orderly manner, with practical cooperation and cultural exchanges becoming increasingly vibrant. This momentum is a result of both sides’ efforts and should be cherished. He emphasized that having the correct perception of each other is a fundamental prerequisite for developing China-Australia relations. Zhang urged Australia to maintain a correct understanding of China, view its development objectively and positively, and respect China’s core interests and major concerns, thus solidifying the political foundation of their relationship. He suggested reinforcing traditional cooperation in sectors such as energy and agriculture, while also expanding collaboration in emerging fields like green technology, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, to promote a fair and open trade and investment environment. Additionally, he called for deeper cooperation in local governance, culture, education, and tourism, as well as active promotion of exchanges among the youth to strengthen public support for China-Australia relations.
Zhang highlighted the close ties between the legislative bodies of both countries over the years. He expressed the desire for the National People’s Congress of China to collaborate with the Australian Senate to focus on implementing the important consensus reached by both nations’ leaders, strengthening friendly exchanges among legislative leaders, specialized committees, bilateral friendship groups, and representatives and members, as well as sharing governance experiences and learning from each other’s legislative and supervisory practices.
He also outlined China’s commitment to green development, stating that China is willing to share development opportunities with Australia and other countries around the world to promote global green transformation and foster an open world economy.
Leane responded by emphasizing the importance of the Australia-China relationship, noting that a stable and constructive bilateral relationship aligns with the interests of both countries and the broader region. He mentioned that the Australian Senate delegation includes members from different parties and regions, all united in their desire for a healthy development of Australia-China relations. The positive trend in the relationship is encouraging, and he expressed hope for further practical cooperation in trade, green economy, climate change, and cultural exchanges. He affirmed that open dialogue could help better manage differences, ultimately leading to mutual benefits. Leane concluded by stating that the Senate is eager to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the National People’s Congress to enhance the development of Australia-China relations and foster understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries.
Tiejing participated in the talks.
