Australia, New Zealand talk up their relationships with China

7/2/2023 13:20

        Australia and New Zealand talked up their relationships with China at a joint prime ministerial news conference on Tuesday in the latest sign of strengthening ties with their biggest trading partner.
        
        Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his counterpart Chris Hipkins said they discussed climate change, security, migration and the economy at their meeting in Canberra on Tuesday, the first since Jacinda Ardern resigned as leader in January.
        
        Albanese said he was pleased by the "productive" video meeting between Trade Minister Don Farrell and his Chinese counterpart on Monday, where it was agreed that Farrell would soon travel to Beijing.
        
        "Our position on China is clear that we will cooperate where we can, will disagree where we must and will engage in our national interests."
        
        "The trade to China is more than the next three highest trading partners combined. It's in Australia's national interest to have good economic relations and to trade with China."