Australian prime minister won’t choose between China and US

Australia and China are expected to sign new bilateral agreements on beef exports, energy and security during a four-day visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that began on Thursday.

He was welcomed to New Zealand with a pōwhiri this morning, after arriving in Wellington last night.

Noting the rising trend of protectionism, Li said that faced with various global challenges, China is willing to work with Australia and others to maintain the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Li’s visit to Australia and New Zealand, which started late Wednesday, is the first by a Chinese premier in 11 years.

Turnbull suggested that as well as trade, the two leaders will discuss tensions in the South China Sea over competing territorial claims.

“Once again Premier Li and I will discuss the importance of ensuring that all regional disagreements, including those in the South China Sea, are resolved by negotiation and in accordance with global law”, said Turnbull.

Analysts attribute the two countries’ economic performances, which remain quite outstanding for Western developed economies, partly to an increasingly close economic and trade relationship with China.

“On the one hand, we have huge commercial and economic interests in China”, Raby said.

David Foote, managing director of one of Australia’s largest privately owned beef businesses, Australian Country Choice, says it’s great news for the industry.

“Today’s agreement will enable Australian beef producers to continue meeting China’s growing demand for high-quality beef”, he said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull share a joke before kick-off at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Human Rights Watch hopes Mr Turnbull will raise China’s harsh crackdown on democracy activists and civil society groups, its weak judicial system and internet censorship during Friday’s bilateral meeting.

And I am pleased to announce that Australia will open a new Consulate in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, bringing the number of Australian diplomatic and consular posts in mainland China to five.

“I wear both of them even though the weather is not cold at all to show my love and support for both teams”, said the Chinese premier.

Other ministers at the talks included Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, Finance Minster Steven Joyce, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully, and Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges.

China is Australia’s biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $107 billion and bilateral investment exceeding $100 billion.

China has drawn worldwide criticism for large-scale building in the South China Sea, although Li told reporters in Australia the development was for civilian purposes only.

In late January, Australia floated the possibility of inviting China to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) initiative after the United States pulled out.