Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that geopolitical turbulence and Donald Trump’s growing trade war should not derail the recent improvement in bilateral relations, urging both countries to 'unswervingly' stick to cooperation. The two leaders met in Beijing on Tuesday, with Albanese promising to find common ground despite differences over issues such as the Port of Darwin and Taiwan.
Speaking at the start of their talks in the Great Hall of the People, Xi said: 'No matter how the international landscape may evolve, we should uphold this overall direction unswervingly.' Albanese noted that seeking common ground while managing differences had produced 'very positive benefits for both Australia and China.'
The meeting came after Australian journalists covering the prime minister’s six-day visit were confronted by Chinese security guards at the Drum and Bell Towers in Beijing and told to hand over footage. Albanese acknowledged the incident, saying: 'China has a different system obviously with the media.'
Albanese said he raised the case of Chinese-Australian academic Yang Hengjun, who received a suspended death sentence in February 2024, but did not expect an immediate resolution. He also discussed a Chinese navy live-fire exercise off the New South Wales coast earlier this year, noting it was within international law but expressing concern about the lack of notice.
On Taiwan, Albanese said Australia supported 'the status quo,' while Coalition senator James Paterson argued that the US had not declared whether it would defend Taiwan, so Australia should not be expected to do more. The Port of Darwin lease was not raised during the meeting, Albanese confirmed.
Later, Premier Li Qiang said relations had 'moved beyond a low point and returned to the right track of stability and development,' adding that both countries should strengthen dialogue and cooperation amid growing global economic uncertainty.
