Shared intent to improve bilateral relations

China and Australia vowed to improve bilateral ties on Sunday during a high-level meeting between Premier Li Keqiang and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on the sidelines of a series of Southeast Asia meetings in Bangkok, a message that is badly needed for both sides to steer their damaged relationship out of troubled waters and onto a more stable and healthy terrain.

Li said China and Australia should step up joint efforts to enhance mutual understanding and trust, properly handle differences, and return bilateral ties to the normal track. These remarks show Beijing still attaches great importance to ties with Canberra despite the fact that the latter was responsible for souring relations.

Judging by Morrison's remarks, Canberra seems ready to work with Beijing to repair the much damaged ties. Stressing the Australia-China relationship is not a bargain, Morrison said Australia looks forward to resuming exchanges and cooperation in various fields.