ANKARA

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, seeking to deepen trade ties despite their differences over regional security, and human rights, the Chinese and Australian media reported.

Xi told Albanese that China-Australia relations have "turned around," referring to the rather tumultuous period of 2020-2022 when the relationship between the two countries entered troubled waters, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Ties between the two countries "rose from that setback and turned around," bringing "tangible benefits" to both people, Xi was quoted as saying.

He said the progress showed the importance of a "commitment to equal treatment" and "seeking common ground while sharing differences."

That reference to "equal treatment" could be viewed as a reference to Beijing's repeated complaints about Canberra's restrictions on Chinese investment, or the federal government's move to strip Chinese company Landbridge of the Port of Darwin.

It could also be a veiled reference to US President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day tariffs."

Seeking common ground while setting aside differences is in line with "the fundamental interests of our two countries and our two peoples,” Xi added.

Noting that the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership has entered its second decade, Xi said China stands ready to work with Australia to further advance their relations for sound development to bring greater benefits to the two peoples, Beijing-based Xinhua News reported.

"The most important insight this gives us is that treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation serve the fundamental interests of both China and Australia and the two peoples," Xi said.

In return, Albanese, who is on a week-long trip to China, told Xi that dialogue needed to be "at the center of our relationship" and that would help both countries "maintain peace, security, stability and prosperity in our region."

He also thanked Xi for the "great honor" of hosting both himself and his partner Jodie Haydon at a lunch after the meeting, which Chinese analysts say is a "fairly clear signal" from the president.

Following his meeting with Xi, Albanese met Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The two leaders discussed enhancing relations on the economy, trade, technological innovation and green development.

Li Qiang said Beijing is willing to “strengthen the planning and design of cooperation in various fields, explore more points of interest convergence and economic growth, and release the huge potential of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries,” according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry,

Li urged both nations to enhance communication and cooperation, “maintain a rules-based multilateral trading system, and work together to promote a good international economic and trade cooperation environment.”

Albanese said that “free and open trade is good for both the Australian and Chinese economies, businesses and people,” according to a post on X, that underscored Canberra’s eagerness to deepen cooperation with Beijing.

Following the talks, the two prime ministers signed cooperation agreements pertaining to trade, agriculture, tourism, quarantine and customs inspection, and other areas.

It is Albanese’s second visit to China since his center-left Labor Party government was first elected in 2022. The party was reelected in May with a thumping majority.

*Writing by Aamir Latif