Aus, China open first high-level talks in 3 yrs

Australia’s Craig Emerson with Li Zhaoxing of China. Pic/AP

Australia and China opened their first high-level dialogue in three years on Thursday in a sign of a slight thaw to relations between countries that have clashed on everything from human rights to COVID origins to trade.

"I welcome the recent positive developments in the bilateral relationship, but we know that there is more work to do," said Craig Emerson, the head of the Australian delegation and a former trade minister. The dialogue being held in Beijing will focus on trade, people-to-people links and security.

Also read: China premier defends its stance before ASEAN leaders

China's former Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said the two countries should work together, but added, "We should adhere to the liberalisation of trade and jointly oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and trade protectionism."

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