Chinese, Australian FMs call for strengthening of bilateral ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop prior to the two countries' fourth round of diplomatic and strategic dialogue in Canberra, Australia, Feb. 7, 2017. Foreign ministers of China and Australia called for further strengthening of bilateral ties here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhu Hongye)

Foreign ministers of China and Australia called for further strengthening of bilateral ties on Tuesday.

At the two countries' fourth round of diplomatic and strategic dialogue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said relations between China and Australia have maintained healthy development, adding that the free trade agreement between the two sides has yielded good results.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Australia, Wang said, calling on the two sides to take this opportunity to review past experience and plan for the future.

He urged the two sides to expand cooperation, add new content to bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership on the basis of mutual trust and mutual benefit.

As the international situation is facing uncertainties, China and Australia need to strengthen strategic communication, jointly deliver to the world positive signals including building an open world economy, promoting greater inclusiveness and broader shared benefit, as well as safeguarding global trade system and combatting protectionism.

He said the two countries need to promote business and trade cooperation toward a more diversified, more sustainable direction, enhance collaboration on such areas as international production capacity cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and law-enforcement cooperation.

Speaking positively of the Australia-China relations, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the country is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and coordination on global affairs.

She said Australia expects to expand bilateral cooperation with China in the fields of business and trade, innovation, energy, and building closer people-to-people links.