Chinese, Australian FMs meet on bilateral relations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday to discuss bilateral ties on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that under the strategic leadership of the two countries' heads of state, China-Australia relations have stabilized after a period of decline, which is welcomed by all sectors of both countries. The return of the relationship to a healthy and stable track is in line with the common interests of both sides and responds to the shared aspirations of the peoples of both countries.

He said that China is willing to work with Australia to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. China appreciates Australia's repeated adherence to the one-China principle and hopes that Australia will continue to respect China's core interests and major concerns, safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations, and properly manage differences and divergences.

In the face of the current complex and ever-changing international situation, China advocates that all countries should practice true multilateralism, with major powers, in particular, setting an example and demonstrating leadership. China firmly opposes "regression of history" and resists the return to the "law of the jungle". China is willing to work with the international community, including Australia, to safeguard the achievements of World War II and protect the international system with the United Nations at its core, according to Wang.

For her part, Wong stated that currently, Australia-China exchanges in various fields have made positive progress, with economic and trade exchanges fully recovering, sending positive signals.

She said Australia adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to continue strengthening cooperation with China in areas that align with the interests of both countries, uphold the international rule of law and strategic security, and jointly address global challenges.

Chinese, Australian FMs meet on bilateral relations

Chinese, Australian FMs meet on bilateral relations

Chinese, Australian FMs meet on bilateral relations

Chinese, Australian FMs meet on bilateral relations

The Japanese intruder who broke into the Embassy of China in Japan on Tuesday morning was arrested by the police later the same day, with more information about the case disclosed, according to local media.

The intruder has been identified as Kodai Murata, 23, a second lieutenant in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), stationed at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, according to Kyodo News, citing Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. A second lieutenant is the lowest officer rank within the GSDF.

The suspect allegedly entered the premises of the Chinese embassy at around 09:00 local time, carrying a knife and shouting threatening words. He was initially detained by embassy staff and later arrested by police on suspicion of unlawful entry, the report said.

The man admitted that his act was illegal and he also threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel in the so-called "name of god." The GSDF said it would cooperate fully with the police and deal with the case "strictly," proceeding "based on facts."

According to the Chinese embassy in Japan, a man claiming to be "an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces" forcibly broke into the embassy by climbing over a wall on Tuesday morning, threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel.

The embassy has lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side, demanding that Japan provide a responsible explanation.

Intruder to Chinese embassy in Japan arrested, more information disclosed