The Victorian Premier is the first Australian state or national leader to visit China since the start of the pandemic.
The praise for Andrews came from Li Xukui, the vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. They were friendlier than any given to an Australian federal representative since tensions between Canberra and Beijing rose sharply in 2020 after disputes over trade, human rights and national security.
He’s also not taking a media contingent with him, but is releasing daily updates on his talks.
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China’s Foreign Ministry said Andrews’ visit was in the common interest of Beijing and Canberra.
“China is willing to make joint efforts with Australia to launch and resume dialogue and communication in various fields, expand co-operation and push bilateral relations back on the right track based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while reserving differences,” spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
“The impediments to certain Australian exports to China didn’t happen overnight and won’t be resolved overnight and won’t be resolved overnight,” he said.
