Reconciliation of Beijing, Canberra good for region

In his meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Thursday, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China's development is not a threat to Australia but an opportunity. This is an important message that should be well received by the Australian side as it holds the key for Canberra to repair the previously strained relations.

Wang's remarks touch upon the sticking point between the two sides. Since last year, from accusing China of seeking political influence in Australia to pointing an accusing finger at China's cooperation with Pacific island countries under the Belt and Road Initiative, the previous Australian government under Malcolm Turnbull soured bilateral ties with a series of unfounded allegations.

The mistrust harbored by some Australians toward China was largely to blame for stoking the frictions between the two countries. Some Australian media outlets and politicians then sought to exploit this by stirring up anti-China sentiment in Australian society, which served to poison the atmosphere for bilateral ties.