March 15, 2024 (EIRNS)—China’s Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that at the invitation of New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be traveling to both countries between March 17-21. Asked about this, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin reminded the press corps that China has comprehensive strategic partnerships with both countries and that this year marks both the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s visit to each country, and the 10th anniversary of the China-New Zealand and China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnerships.
Wang Yi had previously visited both countries seven years ago, and the current visit is scheduled to include high-level meetings in both locations for “in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.” Global Times today highlights the upcoming visits, noting that Wang is looking forward to high-level dialogue on “multiple issues” in both countries. Especially in Australia, where bilateral relations were strained under previous Prime Minister and China-basher Scott Morrison, and China-imposed restrictions on bilateral trade, Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed the hope that progress can be made on removing China’s tariffs on Australian wine. In August of last year, China announced plans to lift anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Australian barley, a move Australia welcomed.
