China has congratulated Anthony Albanese following Labor's landslide election victory, stating that it is keen to expand cooperation as America-China trade tensions continue to fester.
China, in a foreign ministry statement, said it was willing to cooperate with the new Australian government led by Prime Minister Albanese. The ministry cited the "important common understandings" between the leaders of the two nations as foundations for building a "more mature, stable, and productive comprehensive strategic partnership."
This kind of cooperation would benefit the two nations and regional and global peace and stability, the ministry stated.
Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged the difficult global economic landscape, pointing to U.S.-China tensions as a central concern. "The immediate priority is global uncertainty, particularly U.S.-China relations, and what that implies for Australia," Chalmers said. "We have to be prepared to manage that uncertainty.".
Australia-China relations took a turn for the worse under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, particularly after he pushed for a global inquiry into COVID-19's origins. Beijing responded by freezing diplomatic ties, banning a range of Australian imports, and issuing a list of 14 grievances from alleged racism to supporting anti-China policies.
Since Labor took office, diplomatic relations have gradually warmed up. Many trade restrictions have been lifted, and the two nations have restarted talks.
Prime Minister Albanese has already met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2022 G20 summit in Bali, a step towards the rebuilding of trust between the two economic partners.