China, Australia keen on stable ties despite tensions, rivalry

China and Australia on Monday sought to keep ties on an even keel despite tensions over military encounters in the South China Sea and rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing both sides as "friends".



China is ready to build a more stable and strategic partnership with Australia, Premier Li Qiang told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian summit in Malaysia, according to China's official Xinhua news agency.



Albanese visited China in July to mend ties that had been strained to near breaking point under the previous Australian administration, vowing to keep communication channels open and look for areas of cooperation while guarding against "misunderstanding".



China-Australia relations at present are showing a positive trend, Li told Albanese in their meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Xinhua reported. Last week, both sides traded barbs over an encounter between their militaries in the South China Sea, most of which is claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.



Australia said a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares near one of its patrol planes, prompting Beijing to complain that Canberra was trying to cover up an "intrusion" into Chinese airspace.