Anthony Albanese confirms meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during China trip

News.com.au

08-07-2025

Anthony Albanese has stressed the importance of Australia's $325bn trade relationship with China ahead of his six day visit to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, with the Prime Minister to meet with Chinese Communist Party President Xi Jingping and other senior officials.
The centrepiece of the trip will be the Australia-China Annual Leaders' Meeting in Beijing which he will attend alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and where he will also meet Mr Xi and Chairman of the National People's Congress, Zhao Leji – the third highest ranking person of the CCP.
Discussions will be focused on global and regional issues, plus bilateral co-operation on areas including trade and tourism. China accounts for nearly 26 per cent of Australia's total goods and service trade.
China will also raise desires to open the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement to include AI, healthcare, green energy and the digital economy.
Mr Albanese, who has faced criticism for failing to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump before his face-to-face with Mr Xi, has defended the trip, saying he intended to 'continue to co-operate with China where we can' and 'disagree where we must, and engage in our national interest'.
'Trade is now flowing freely, to the benefit of both countries and to people and businesses on both sides,' Mr Albanese said.
'We will continue to patiently and deliberately work towards a stable relationship with China, with dialogue at its core.
'I will raise issues that are important to Australians and the region including my government's enduring commitment to pursuing Australia's national interest.'
A 14-person business delegation will also accompany Mr Albanese at a Australia–China CEO Roundtable, which will be hosted by the Business Council of Australia and include leaders from industries representing banking, resources, tertiary education and food.
This includes ANZ International's managing director Simon Ireland, BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery, Fortescue Metals Group executive chairman Andrew Forrest, Rio Tinto chief executive Kellie Parker, SunRice chief executive Paul Serra and UNSW Vice-Chancellor and president Attila Brungs.
BCA chief executive Bran Black said Australia's relationship with China was a 'partnership that matters deeply to our nation's success'.
'With one in four Australian jobs trade dependent, it's imperative that our businesses are part of the solution in identifying further opportunities with both new and existing partners,' he said.
'The Australia-China CEO Roundtable is a crucial forum for building an even stronger relationship with our largest economic partner, particularly in the resources, energy and services sectors.'
Mr Albanese is also set to meet with business, tourism and sport leaders when he visits Shanghai and Chendgu, the latter which is home to the giant panda research base, which is where Adelaide Zoo acquired two new giant pandas, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan, in late 2024.
This will be Mr Albanese's second visit to China.