On November 8, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Marise Payne of Australia held the fifth round of China-Australia Diplomatic and Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.

Wang Yi expressed that both China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. To maintain the healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations is in line with the common interests of the two countries and the two peoples as well as conducive to the regional and world peace, stability and prosperity. The Chinese side has noticed that since it took office, the new Australian government has made positive statements on developing its relations with China on many occasions. It is hoped that the Australian side will turn these statements into actions and meet the Chinese side halfway, and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, so as to ensure that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries will be worthy of the name.

Wang Yi pointed out that the two sides should rebuild political mutual trust to lay a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations. It is hoped that the Australian side will correctly understand and get hold of China's development path and strategic intentions and make great efforts to wipe out "mutual trust deficit" between the two sides. China always adheres to peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and never seeks expansion or infiltration. We have noticed Australian leaders' statements that China's development does not pose threats to Australia, and we hope that the Australian side will truly implement the policy of treating China as a cooperative partner instead of an opponent and make this policy a consensus among people from all walks of life in Australia. Cooperation should be the only choice for China and Australia. China and Australia should pay mutual respect to each other's development paths and social systems, and on this basis, seek common ground while shelving differences, broaden consensus and deepen cooperation. China-Australia relations should be calibrated and set sail again. It is believed that, by sticking to the correct direction, we are sure to achieve the goal of common development and prosperity.

Wang Yi noted that the two sides should actively promote bilateral communication and cooperation to add driving forces to the development of China-Australia relations. We appreciate the Australian side's support for and active participation in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE). China's hosting of the CIIE is meant to build an open world economy through practical actions so that all countries can share the development opportunities created by China. The Chinese side welcomes more countries, including the Australian side, to join in the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to work with the Australian side, in the spirit of greater mutual openness, to advance exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, people-to-people and cultural engagement, defense, safety and law enforcement. We stand ready to work with the Australian side to strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral mechanisms, jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, intensify the international system and order with the United Nations at its core, and jointly build an open world economy.

Wang Yi pointed out that the two sides should properly manage and control differences so as to eliminate disturbances in bilateral relations. It is hoped that the Australian side will earnestly abide by the one-China principle, prudently and properly handle the Taiwan-related and sea-related issues, and guide the public to view each other and China-Australia relations in a more positive and objective way.

Marise Payne first congratulated China on successfully holding the first CIIE and stressed that the Australian government actively supports such a pioneering undertaking of the Chinese side. Australian enterprises have actively participated in the CIIE. Marise Payne expressed that Australia and China are highly complementary in economies and enjoy close people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and that Chinese Australians have made important contributions to the development of Australia. Australia welcomes China's contributions to the international community and the region through its opening up and development, and believes that a prosperous China is positive for the world. The growth of China's influence is also natural and the Australian side does not consider China as a military threat. The new government headed by Prime Minister Scott John Morrison adheres to the one-China policy, stays committed to deepening Australia-China comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding common interests of the two countries, and stands ready to maintain high-level and institutional exchanges as well as strengthen dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutually respecting each other's differences with China. Australia and China enjoy enormous cooperation potential. The Australian side agrees to advance bilateral practical cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, agriculture, energy, science and technology, defense and law enforcement in the spirit of greater openness, and welcomes the Chinese side to increase investment in Australia. The cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative can make contributions to regional infrastructure construction. There are over 180,000 Chinese overseas students studying in Australia, which constitutes an important part of the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries and has made positive contributions to the development of bilateral relations. Australia welcomes these Chinese overseas students. The Australian side is willing to, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, work with the Chinese side to properly manage and control differences between the two countries in a constructive manner, so as to develop a more positive and long-standing bilateral relations. The Australian side attaches importance to China's positive influence on international affairs and stands ready to work with the Chinese side to strengthen cooperation under such multilateral frameworks as the G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and East Asia Summit.

Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional topics of common interest.