Premier to embark on three-nation tour this week
Premier Li Qiang will kick off an overseas visit this week that takes him to New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the trip will take place from June 13 to 20. Li’s visit to Australia will extend from Saturday to Tuesday and will be the first by a Chinese premier to the country since 2017, in a further indication that strained bilateral relations are improving. The trip comes after China lifted most of the trade barriers it had imposed on Australian exports, including coal, timber, barley and wine. Li and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will hold an annual leaders’ meeting in Canberra during the visit. The premier is expected to visit Adelaide and Perth as well. "Premier Li Qiang's visit to Australia is an important opportunity to engage directly on key issues for both our nations," Albanese said. "China is Australia's largest trading partner and our economic relationship continues to bring substantial benefits to both our countries." Albanese will also raise the case of writer Yang Hengjun who was given a suspended death sentence in China on espionage charges in February, as well as an incident last month where a Chinese military jet dropped flares near an Australian defence helicopter, which the Australian leader said "was dangerous and should never had happened". "Welcoming the Chinese premier to our shores is an opportunity for Australia to advance our interests by demonstrating our national values, our people's qualities and our economy's strengths," Albanese said. "Australia continues to pursue a stable and direct relationship with China, with dialogue at its core." New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday that Li would visit the country this week, adding that the trip would be a valuable opportunity for exchanges on areas of bilateral cooperation. (Agencies)