Sydney, Australia, Mar 20 (EFE).- Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, met in Canberra on Wednesday to discuss key issues including security in the Indo-Pacific region, bilateral trade and human rights after years of bilateral tensions.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong at Parliament House, in Canberra, Australia, 20 March 2024. EFE-EPA/MICK TSIKAS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Wang, the first Chinese foreign minister to visit Australia since 2017, participated in the seventh Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue as part of steps by both nations to normalize bilateral relations.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong (not pictured) at Parliament House, in Canberra, Australia, 20 March 2024. EFE-EPA/MICK TSIKAS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

“Every time we meet our mutual trust is built further and China-Australia relations advance. Strategic communication is positive and represents a step forward in dispelling doubts and boosting trust,” Wang said, through a translator, at the beginning of the meeting, broadcast by the Australian public channel ABC.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks to the media after holding a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (not pictured) at Parliament House, in Canberra, Australia, 20 March 2024. EFE-EPA/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

For her part, Wong stressed that she looked forward to speaking “frankly” with her Chinese counterpart about Australians detained in China, human rights, maritime security and safety, and regional and international issues such as the Pacific, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.

The Australian minister also insisted on the need for a commitment “to preventive architecture to reduce the risk of conflict” in a veiled reference to China’s territorial disputes with several countries in the South China Sea and tensions in the Taiwan Strait, among others.

Wong highlighted the steps taken by China, its largest trading partner, in lifting tariffs on a series of Australian products imposed by Beijing in 2020, after the previous conservative government of Scott Morrison called for a global inquiry into the origins of Covid-19.

Beijing has been lifting trade restrictions on several products and bilateral relations have progressed since the arrival in power of Anthony Albanese in May 2022, who visited China in November.

“Predictability in business and trade is in everyone’s interest,” Wong said.

“We also welcome progress on trade between our countries, including on wine exports, and look forward to the resolution of outstanding issues,” she added.

One of the most pressing issues for Canberra is the situation of China-born Australian write Yang Hengjun, to who was sentenced to death by a Chinese court for espionage last month.

“We will not walk away from our advocacy Dr. Yang Hengjun,” Wong said at a press conference after her meeting with Wang.

The 58-year-old writer and democracy advocate was sentenced on Feb. 5 following a three-year closed-door trial to a suspended death sentence, which could be commuted to life imprisonment if he does not commit any serious crimes within a period of two years.

Wang is on an official visit to New Zealand and Australia between Mar. 17 and 21. EFE

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