DENPASAR, INDONESIA (AFP) – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali, Indonesia today, the first leaders meeting between the two countries after years of soured relations.
“We enter this discussion with goodwill. There are no preconditions on this discussion. I am looking forward to having constructive dialogue,” Albanese told media as he touched down on the resort island for the Group of 20 (G20) Summit.
Australian and Chinese leaders had a brief exchange at the 2019 G20 Summit in Japan, but have not had a formal sitdown in five years.
Ministerial-level contacts between Australia and China resumed in June after a two-year hiatus.
“Australia will put forward our own position. I look forward to having a constructive discussion with Xi,” Albanese said. “I have said since I have became prime minister but before then as well that dialogue is always a good thing. We need to talk in order to develop mutual understanding.”
