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:
- Political dialogue, including through continuing the Annual Leaders' Meeting, the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, the Strategic Economic Dialogue, the Joint Ministerial Economic Commission, as well as other government-to-government mechanisms.
- Bilateral trade, including through the participation of both leaders in the Australia-China CEO Roundtable meeting in Beijing on 15 July. The two sides recognised the importance of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) for promoting bilateral economic and trade relations and welcomed a review of the ChAFTA. China welcomed Australia's participation in the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) as this year's country of honour and the China International Import Expo (CIIE). Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the WTO Agreement on Electronic Commerce and committed to its incorporation into the WTO framework. In line with this, they would also explore potential ways for cooperation on the agreement's interim implementation.
- Climate change, energy and environment, through agreement to establish a new Policy Dialogue on Steel Decarbonisation, and through continuing exchanges between officials on climate change and the environment, including on transparency-related issues, dryland farming, climate-smart agriculture and the green economy. They looked forward to holding the Ninth China-Australia Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change in 2025 in China.
- People-to-people links, and other exchanges in culture, sports, education, innovation, academia, aviation, health and tourism, including through resumption of the Australia China Tourism Dialogue. Australia continued to welcome Chinese students and to value their contribution to Australian society. Both sides welcomed more young Australians travelling to China for visits and exchanges, including through international youth exchange programs and initiatives. The leaders welcomed their National Museums' exchanges of culturally significant exhibitions.
- Border enforcement, building on existing bilateral law enforcement cooperation in our mutual interest against forms of crime including counter-narcotics, transnational and organised crime and cyber-telecom scams.
9. The leaders witnessed the signing of the following MOUs and Protocols:
- Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia Regarding the Implementation and Review of China-Australia Free Trade Agreement in 2025-2026
- Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China on Tourism Cooperation
- Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Apples from Australia to China Between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Chinese Jujube Fruits from China to Australia Between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Memorandum of Understanding Between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of Australia on Paperless Certification of Agricultural and Food Products
- Strategic Cooperation Agreement Between China Media Group and Tourism Australia
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.
