China urges Australia to focus on cooperation amid differences
- Xiao Qian emphasized maintaining cooperation and managing differences with Australia.
- Relations between Australia and China stabilized after a period of significant breakdown.
- The ambassador's remarks indicate a desire to deepen ties beyond mere stabilization.
In a recent press briefing in Canberra, Xiao Qian, China's ambassador to Australia, expressed a desire to strengthen the diplomatic relationship between the two nations. He emphasized the importance of focusing on common grounds and managing disputes wisely to maintain cooperation, even as there are ongoing tensions regarding territory disputes, Taiwan, and human rights issues. This appeal comes after a period of strained relations under the previous Australian Coalition government, which had seen significant diplomatic breakdowns following Australia’s support for an international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 virus. Since then, some stabilization has occurred in diplomatic interactions, but points of contention still exist. As the political landscape shifts, particularly with the potential change in government leadership, Xiao's remarks reflect China’s intention to navigate future relations carefully while highlighting mutual interests.