🇨🇳 Xi Jinping · 🇦🇺 Anthony Albanese
Senior Chinese diplomat heads to Australia and Fiji to pave way for Xi-Albanese talks in Beijing
What happened
China's vice-foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu will visit Australia and Fiji this week to stabilise ties ahead of an anticipated visit to Beijing by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Ma will hold a new round of political consultations on his trip to Australia. Ma will also visit Fiji. The visit comes as the China-Australia relationship has begun to thaw since last year's meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Bali.
Why it matters
The visit is significant as it aims to improve relations between China and Australia, which have deteriorated over the past few years due to various issues, including human rights, trade disputes, and national security concerns. China's efforts to improve relations with Australia are also part of its broader push to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations. The visit may have implications for China's regional influence and its rivalry with the US in the Pacific.
Key facts
- Ma Zhaoxu is a former ambassador to Australia.
- China's relationship with Australia has thawed since the meeting between Xi Jinping and Albanese in Bali.
- Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited China in December to step up talks on issues like trade, security, and human rights.
- China has appointed a special envoy on Pacific Islands affairs.
- Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka cancelled a police training and exchange agreement with China in 2023.
Topics
Publisher evidence used
Reporting attributed to pina.com.fj. WorldLeadersNews links readers to the publisher and does not present a headline-only item as a full article analysis.
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