Anthony Albanese is the first Australian prime minister to hold formal talks with Xi Jinping since 2016. (Twitter: Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP))

Anthony Albanese and Xi Jinping meet at G20, breaking six-year diplomatic cold shoulder

(ABC) -- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali.
The last Australian prime minister to hold formal talks with Mr Xi was Malcolm Turnbull in 2016.
“We have had our differences, and Australia won’t resile from our interests and values,” Mr Albanese told Mr Xi.
“I look forward to a constructive exchange and dialogue today.”
The meeting is being held at the luxury Mulia Resort in Nusa Dua Bali, down the road from where G20 leaders have been holding talks all day.
“I’m very pleased that we are having this meeting here today,” Mr Albanese said.
“It comes at a time of great global uncertainty. We’re facing challenges of COVID and the recovery, dealing with climate change, and also supply-chain shocks.
“As we manage these challenges, we need to work towards a stable, prosperous and peaceful Indo-Pacific and an international system that is governed by international law and the principles that are enshrined in the United Nations charter.”
The pair shook hands before taking their seats.
Mr Xi spoke first through a translator.
“In the past few years, China-Australia relations have encountered some difficulties, which we do not want to see,” Mr Xi said.
“Because China and Australia are both important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, we should improve, maintain, and develop the relationship between the two countries.”
And the Chinese leader referred to some of Mr Albanese’s past comments.
“You have made a number of remarks on China-Australia relations on a number of occasions, and have repeatedly said that you will deal with China-Australia relations in a mature manner,” he said.
“I attach great importance to your opinion.”
Mr Albanese harked back to former Labour prime minister Gough Whitlam in his remarks, noting it would soon be 50 years since Australia and China established diplomatic ties.
“In 1972, we agreed on principles to guide the relationship based on equality, mutual respect and benefit and a commitment to coexist peacefully,” he said.
“And these principles remain important today.”
Yesterday, Mr Xi and US President Joe Biden met for three hours on the sidelines of the G20.
Today’s meeting with Mr Albanese lasted 32 minutes.

(Latest Update November 16, 2022)