<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>333447</docID> <postdate>2024-11-19 09:27:35</postdate> <headline>Xi hails Australia-China ties after ‘twists and turns’</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-333448" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240617110267352106-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met Chinese President Xi Jinping during a G20 summit. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><strong>Chinese-Australian links are improving after a turnaround in relations, President Xi Jinping has told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while acknowledging "some twists and turns" in the past.</strong></p> <p>Mr Albanese met the Chinese president, in their third formal encounter, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil.</p> <p>Before the talks between the two started in Rio de Janeiro overnight, Mr Xi recalled visiting Australia in 2014.</p> <p>"Ten years ago today, I was on a state visit in Australia. And on this very day, during which our two sides agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership," Mr Xi said.</p> <p>Mr Xi addressed the parliament in Canberra at the time and was hosted by then-prime minister Tony Abbott .</p> <p>"And over the past decade, we have made some progress in China-Australia relations and also witnessed some twists and turns. That trajectory has many inspirations to offer," Mr Xi told Mr Albanese.</p> <p>"Now, our relations have realised a turnaround and continues to grow, bringing tangible benefits to our two peoples," he said.</p> <p>"So, this is the result of our collective hard work in the same direction, and should be maintained with great care."</p> <p>Mr Albanese, who visited Beijing a year ago, said there had been "further encouraging progress in the stabilisation of our relationship" and that trade was "flowing more freely" between the countries.</p> <p>China is Australia's largest trading partner and total two-way trade hit a record $327 billion in 2023.</p> <p>Chinese authorities introduced sanctions - since lifted - on some Australian products in 2020 after the government of then-prime minister Scott Morrison called for an international inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p>"We continue to explore opportunities for practical co-operation in areas of shared interest, including on our energy transition and climate change," Mr Albanese said on Tuesday.</p> <p>"We live in the fastest growing region of the world in human history - and the rise of China has contributed to this while lifting the living standards of hundreds of millions of people through increased economic activity".</p> </body>