Australia’s PM and Xi had long-awaited meeting in China

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, and the President of China, Xi Jinping, have met in Beijing to have discussions in order to improve the strained relationship between the two countries.

MrAlbanese arrived in Shanghai on Saturday. He is the first Australian leader to go to China since 2016.

The visit is seen as an important moment in improving relations, after a series of conflicts over trade and security.

MrAlbanese wants China to stop charging extra fees on Australian products, and he believes this topic should be the main focus of discussion.

Mr Xi is likely to request more opportunities to get into important Australian industries.

Mr Albanese said that we should work together with China when we can, but if there are things we don’t agree on, we should speak up. We should also focus on our own country’s interests. He said this before the meeting while talking to reporters in Beijing.

His trip comes after a period of no communication between countries caused by Australia requesting to look into the beginnings of Covid-19, and China stopping key Australian exports like beef, wine, and barley.

This also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Gough Whitlam’s famous trip to China in 1973. It was the first time an Australian prime minister visited China after the two countries started diplomatic relations.

When reporters asked if Australia can rely on or have confidence in China, Mr. Albanese said that his previous interactions with Mr. Xi have been good and helpful.

However, we understand that we have different ways of governing, very different beliefs based on those ways, and different past experiences. But we judge each other based on what we see on the outside.

Monday’s talks will have some things that people can’t agree on and some worries about safety.

Australian writer Yang Hengjun has been held in China since 2019 on charges of spying. His health is getting worse and people in Australia want their leader, Mr. Albanese, to help get him released.

Analysts say that Canberra’s increasing military relationship with Washington and its recent changes in defense strategy, which are seen as targeting China, might make it hard for the two countries to agree on matters other than economic interests.

Some experts think that Beijing may try to get more opportunities to use Australia’s resources and renewable energy industries. However, the Australian government has done things to stop Chinese people from owning important minerals and mining projects in the country.