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China-Australia relations
EconomyGlobal Economy

Exclusive | China’s Wang Yi invited to Australia as Beijing, Canberra ties thaw after prolonged frost

  • China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has been invited to visit Australia in the latter half of March to discuss unresolved issues
  • Trip would be another milestone in warming of relations during the tenure of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following period of heightened tension

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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Shanghai and Beijing in November. Photo: EPA-EFE
Kandy Wong

Australia has invited Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, for a two-day visit in the second half of March. He is expected to discuss a range of thorny issues on the table after bilateral relations warmed last year, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

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The trip will take place as bilateral trade, often the smoothest segment of talks, has largely normalised following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s China visit in November.

But other issues – the signing of a new science and technology agreement, the Aukus security alliance with the United States and Britain, and the sentencing of an Australian writer on espionage charges – are unlikely to see a speedy resolution.

“[Australian foreign minister] Penny Wong issued a formal invitation to Wang,” one source explained, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.

“The invitation was the formal conclusion of discussions between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and [the Chinese] embassy over a couple of weeks.”

02:27

Anthony Albanese becomes first Australian prime minister to visit China in 7 years

Anthony Albanese becomes first Australian prime minister to visit China in 7 years

Wang is expected to spend one day in Canberra and another day in Sydney, according to another source.

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