Australian PM Albanese to visit China in November to meet Xi Jinping; deal reached to resolve WTO wine dispute
- China has agreed to suspend a festering World Trade Organization dispute sparked by hefty tariffs on Australian wine
- The trip would be the first to China by an Australian PM since 2016, a sign of improved ties between the countries under Abanese’s government
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that he would travel to China from November 4 to 7 to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, with the aim of ensuring a “stable and productive” relationship between the two countries.
Albanese, who took office in 2022 at the head of government intent on patching up relations with Australia’s biggest trading partner, said he would visit Beijing and Shanghai on the visit, the first by an Australian leader since 2016, and confirmation of a significant step in stabilising ties.
On the visit, the leaders will discuss cooperation in areas such as economic links, climate change and “links between our people”, Albanese said in a statement.
“I look forward to visiting China, an important step towards ensuring a stable and productive relationship,” he said.
“I look forward to further engaging with President Xi and Premier Li in Australia’s national interest.”
Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said Australia late on Saturday had reached a deal with China to move forward to solve its World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute over wine, potentially clearing the way for the resumption of imports.