China to strengthen talks with New Zealand and Australia

According to spokesman Wang Wenbin, the agenda will run from March 17 to 21 and will include the seventh round of diplomatic and strategic dialogue between Beijing and Canberra.

“China hopes to work with the two countries to implement the consensus reached by the leaders, strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and jointly promote the sustainable and long-term development of comprehensive strategic partnerships,” he added.

The President is visiting Australia for the first time in seven years. Next week's trip comes after the resolution of a series of diplomatic and trade disputes involving tariffs from the Asian giant on wine and other goods from the Oceanian country.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a televised press conference that he looked forward to meeting Wang Yi during his visit to Canberra.

Despite this approach, China has on several occasions criticized Australia, the UK and the US for military cooperation in the Tripartite Defense Partnership and their so-called Cold War attitude.

mem/idm