China Opens Opportunities for Negotiations on Maritime Issues with Australia

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian. (Twitter/@MFA_China)

JAKARTA - China is considering holding negotiations on maritime affairs with Australia, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, as tensions between several countries bordering the South China Sea escalate and threaten regional security.

The ministry announced the talks on the final day of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Australia, meeting with colleagues and other leaders this week, to discuss trade and disagreements over regional security.

Australia and China are rebuilding relations after hitting rock bottom in 2020, when Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19, which Beijing responded with trade restrictions.

It has been largely repealed since Australia's change of government two years ago.

Meanwhile, maritime issues have become a hot topic between China and Australia amid escalating confrontation in a vital economic belt whose territory China claims almost entirely, despite overlapping claims from many Southeast Asian countries.

"The two sides agreed to restore and establish dialogue in various fields," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, adding the two were also considering launching talks on maritime issues, reported by Reuters, March 22.

Other areas where the two countries will strive to encourage cooperation are diplomacy, trade, technology, education and law enforcement, he added.

In reading of the meeting with the Prime Minister of New South Wales in Sydney on Thursday, Foreign Minister Wang said many Australians from government and various sectors supported the improvement and development of bilateral relations.

"The biggest feeling from this visit to Australia is that both the ruling party in Australia and the opposition party, business and strategic circles, officials and the general public support strengthening dialogue and cooperation between China and Australia in various fields," he explained.

Foreign Minister Wang also said China is willing to work with Australia to consolidate and expand cooperation in sectors such as energy, mining, agricultural products and dairy products.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country was concerned about unsafe and destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea amid confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed waters.

The two have clashed over disputed atolls, especially at Second Thomas Shoal.

In November, Australia also criticized China for "unsafe and unprofessional" naval interactions.