Chinese premier, Australian prime minister co-chair 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting

Chinese Premier Li Qiang co-chaired the 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing on Tuesday, with both sides pledging continued efforts to promote bilateral exchange and cooperation in multiple fields.

Noting that under the current international situation, the significance of strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia has become even more prominent, Li said, noting that China is willing to continue to work with Australia to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation and achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win outcome.

Li said the economies of China and Australia are highly complementary to each other, and that there is vast room for cooperation in areas such as energy, minerals, agricultural products and green development.

China is willing to make full use of all kinds of dialogue mechanisms with Australia, and strengthen the planning and design of cooperation in various fields, so as to unleash the huge potential of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. It is hoped that the Australian side will provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in Australia, according to Li.

The premier said China is willing to continue to vigorously support exchanges with Australia in the fields of culture, education and tourism, and further facilitate personnel exchanges. Both sides should work to enhance communication and collaboration within the frameworks of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system, and join hands to promote a favorable environment for international economic and trade cooperation, he said.

Speaking on the same occasion, Albanese said Australia attaches great importance to and is committed to building a stable and constructive bilateral relationship. Australia adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to enhance high-level exchanges and dialogue and communication in various fields with China, he said.

Noting that the economies of Australia and China are highly complementary to each other, Albanese said Australia looks forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation with China in areas such as the economy and trade, agriculture, tourism and education.

Australia firmly supports multilateralism and fair and free trade, and is willing to join hands with China to address global challenges such as climate change, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, said the Australian prime minister.

After the meeting, Li and Albanese witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents on trade, customs inspection and quarantine, and agriculture, among others.

The two sides issued a joint statement on outcomes of the China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting.

Chinese premier, Australian prime minister co-chairs 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting

Chinese premier, Australian prime minister co-chairs 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting

Chinese premier, Australian prime minister co-chair 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting

Chinese premier, Australian prime minister co-chairs 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting

Chinese premier, Australian prime minister co-chairs 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.

During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.

Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.

China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.

On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.

Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.

Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.

On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation