Statements
Tuesday, 15th July 2025
1. At the invitation of H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, undertook an official visit to China from 12 to 18 July. Prime Minister Albanese visited Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, Sichuan.
2. During the visit to Beijing on 15 July, H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, met with Prime Minister Albanese. Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Albanese jointly convened the Annual Leaders' Meeting. H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, also met with Prime Minister Albanese. The leaders exchanged views in depth on China-Australia relations, as well as on key regional and international issues.
3. At the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their support for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reiterated the importance of a mature, stable, and constructive bilateral relationship. They agreed to continue to grow the bilateral relationship, enhance exchanges and cooperation in areas of shared interest, uphold their respective national interests, and navigate their differences wisely.
4. Consistent with the Statement on Joint Outcomes issued in Canberra in June 2024, the two sides reiterated the importance of the 1972 Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and Australia and restated their commitment to their respective national policies and positions contained therein, including mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, stable development and Australia’s commitment to its one-China policy.
5. The leaders acknowledged the importance of regular engagement between leaders, ministers and officials on both sides in support of the ongoing stabilisation and development of the bilateral relationship. They welcomed the resumption, since the last Annual Leaders’ Meeting in June 2024, of the Fourth Strategic Economic Dialogue in September 2024, and welcomed the upcoming session to be hosted by Australia later this year. They looked forward to holding the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue and the Joint Ministerial Economic Commission in China in 2025.
6. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the UN Charter and the WTO. They agreed to continue to work together in the UN, WTO, G20, APEC, East Asia Summit and other multilateral platforms. Australia looked forward to a successful APEC 2026 and supported China’s hosting. The two sides attached importance to cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. They acknowledged the importance of a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment.
7. The two sides reaffirmed support for people-to-people exchanges and highlighted the important role these played in deepening the bilateral relationship. They welcomed the increasing number of visitors travelling in both directions, underpinned by the growing number of direct flights. They welcomed the important role played by the China-Australia High Level Dialogue and plans to hold the next meeting later this year in China.
8. The two sides agreed to continue or expand engagement in:
9. The leaders witnessed the signing of the following MOUs and Protocols:
10. The leaders agreed to convene the next Annual Leaders' Meeting in 2026. China welcomed the invitation of the Australian side for Chinese leaders to visit Australia at a mutually convenient time.
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Authorised by Anthony Albanese, ALP, Canberra.