China will work to promote strategic partnership, Xi tells Australian PM

Diplomatic ties between Australia and its major trading partner China deteriorated in recent years, with Beijing imposing sanctions on Australian exports

China's President Xi Jinping said in a message to his Australian counterpart that he will work to promote a comprehensive strategic partnership, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday, only hours before a meeting between the countries foreign ministers in Beijing.
 

"I attach great importance to the development of China-Australia relations and am willing to work with the Australian side," Xi said in the telegram to Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, CCTV reported.
 

Albanese on Wednesday said it was important to create better relations with major trading partner China and thanked Xi for a telegram commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic