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Chinese premier congratulates Australia’s new PM Albanese

Gesture eases freeze in high-level contact between two countries.

Agence France-Presse (The Jakarta Post)

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Beijing

Wed, May 25, 2022

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hinese Premier Li Keqiang has sent a congratulatory note to newly elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, easing a years-long freeze in high-level contacts between the two countries.

Relations between China and Australia have been shattered by a string of rows over human rights, espionage and the origins of COVID-19.

But Li's letter signaled a willingness to improve relations after Albanese's election, in what is the most significant high-level contact between Beijing and Canberra in at least two years.

"The Chinese side is ready to work with the Australian side to review the past, look into the future [...] to promote the sound and steady growth of their comprehensive strategic partnership," Li said, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency late Monday.

Albanese said the letter was "welcome" and said he would "respond appropriately" when he returns from a summit of Quad leaders in Tokyo.

But he has previously warned that the relationship will remain difficult.

"It is China that has changed, not Australia, and Australia should always stand up for our values," the 59-year-old center-left Labor Party leader said.