It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr Prime Minister, in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro.
Last November, we had in-depth discussions on the strategic and overarching issues critical to the long-term development of our relations. And our discussions were very productive over the past year and more. We have maintained close communications at all levels, actively promoting the implementations of our common understandings, and made positive progress.
Ten years ago today, I was on a state visit in Australia. And on this very day, during which our two sides agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership. And over the past decade, we have made some progress in China-Australia relations and also witnessed some twists and turns. That trajectory has many inspirations to offer.
Now, our relations have realised a turnaround and continues to grow, bringing tangible benefits to our two peoples. So, this is the result of our collective hard work in the same direction, and should be maintained with great care.
I wish to work with you, Mr Prime Minister, to make our comprehensive strategic partnership more mature, stable and fruitful and eject more stability and certainty to the region and the wider world.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, thank you very much, Mr President. And it is a pleasure to meet you here today for what is our third formal meeting, but particularly auspicious to be on the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two great nations.
Let me express, as well, my appreciation for your tremendous hospitality when I visited Beijing last year, and where we have recommenced our leaders meetings. Since then, there has been further encouraging progress in the stabilisation of our relationship.
We’ve resumed a range of dialogues. And the tempo of bilateral visits is increasing. Trade is flowing more freely to the benefit of both countries and to people and businesses on both sides. We continue to explore opportunities for practical co-operation in areas of shared interest, including on our energy transition and climate change.
Our whole region will benefit from the prosperity that can flow from peace, security and stability in our region. That is why our direct discussions to build deeper understanding on the issues that matter to us are so important.
We live in the fastest growing region of the world in human history. And the rise of China has contributed to this while lifting the living standards of hundreds of millions of people through increased economic activity. And I look forward to another productive discussion today.
