China’s Foreign Minister Seeks Business-Friendly Environment for Chinese Companies in Australia

Minister Wang suggested the U.S. should not influence the bilateral relationship

Wang Yi, the top diplomat of China, visited Australia for the first time in seven years. As this visit thaws the atmosphere between China and Australia, Wang emphasized that the third party should not interfere with the bilateral relationship, raising the voice of restraint against the United States. He also stressed the need to create a business-friendly environment for Chinese companies.

According to Xinhua News Agency, on the 20th, Wang made these remarks during a meeting with Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister, in Canberra.

At the meeting, Wang said, “The ups and downs in our bilateral relationship over the past decade have left us with lessons to learn, and we have gained valuable experience through this. The most critical thing is mutual respect.” He went on, “As China has never interfered in Australia’s internal affairs and has respected its decision on the system and path, we hope that Australia continues to keep the promise that we made since the diplomatic relations to respect and handle the sovereignty and dignity of China properly.”

During the conservative administration of former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (August 2018 – May 2022), Australia participated in the US-led containment of China, causing conflicts between China and Australia. However, since the Labor Party came to power in Australia in 2022, the two countries have established a reconciliatory atmosphere. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the first Australian Prime Minister in seven years, visited China last year.

Under the current situation, Wang conveys that a third party should no longer influent bilateral relations.

Wang stated, “China has always pursued a peaceful foreign policy of independence and autonomy. Independence should also be an important principle in Australia’s foreign policy. The relationship between China and Australia should neither target a third party nor be influenced or interfered with by a third party.”

Furthermore, Wang pointed out that Australia should provide a friendly environment for Chinese companies. He stated, “We hope that Australia will take substantial measures to protect market economy principles and fair competition rules, providing a fair, just, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies operating in Australia.”

This remark appears to be in response to Australia’s exclusion of Huawei, China’s largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, from its 5G network project in 2018.

Wang also highlighted the complementarity of the two countries’ economies. Although China was Australia’s largest export market, tensions between the two countries escalated due to the Huawei incident and other issues, leading China to impose high tariffs on over ten Australian products, including wine, beef, barley, and coal. Wang put pressure on Australia by stating, “Last year, the trade volume between the two countries increased against the trend, and nearly 80% of Australia’s trade surplus came from trade with China.”

Minister Wong said, “Australia is always Australia, and China is always China. It is in everyone’s interest to focus on preventive structures to reduce the risk of conflict, and continuous communication is important.”

He added, “We expect to have candid discussions on regional and international issues such as Australians detained in China, human rights, maritime security and safety, the Pacific, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East. We know that differences between the two countries will not disappear, but through dialogue, we can manage these differences.”