Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The People’s Republic of China
Qin Gang Meets with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong
Updated: March 02, 2023 22:35

On March 2, 2023 local time, Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi.

Qin Gang said that China and Australia need to implement the important common understandings reached between leaders of the two countries at the Bali Summit, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, cherish and maintain the momentum of improvement in bilateral relations. The two countries have restarted or resumed institutional dialogue and consultation on diplomacy, economy and trade, among others, and should continue to promote dialogue and exchanges at all levels. The two sides need to correctly view and properly handle their differences and address each other's legitimate concerns. Qin Gang expressed his hope that Australia will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Australia.

Penny Wong wished the “two sessions” of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference a great success, and said that sound Australia-China relations serve the common interests of both sides, reiterating Australia's commitment to properly managing differences between the two countries. She said Australia will work with China to implement the outcomes of the new round of Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue and fully agrees to resume more institutional dialogues between the two countries. The economic, trade and investment cooperation between Australia and China is mutually beneficial, and Australia welcomes Chinese investment and will treat Chinese enterprises equally. Noting that China is a key force in promoting world peace, stability and prosperity, Penny Wong expressed her hope that China will play an important role in helping resolve the Ukraine crisis.

Qin Gang emphasized that the core of China's position on the Ukraine issue is promoting talks for peace. China has been calling for ceasing hostilities and a political settlement of the crisis through diplomatic negotiation from the very beginning, and will continue to play a constructive role to this end.