Australia PM confirms China visit, Li says ready to resume exchanges

Australia PM Albanese to visit China later this year after talks with Chinese Premier Li. Li said Beijing ready to resume bilateral exchanges. PM Albanese thanked President Xi for invitation, said talks "constructive" and "positive". Australia sent delegation to Beijing for talks, sign of thaw. Issues remain in relationship, Australia expressed "deep concerns" over jailed Australian academic.

Australia's Prime Minister confirmed on September 7 he will visit China later this year after talks with China's premier, who said Beijing was ready to resume bilateral exchanges after years of friction.

The announcement by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of a Southeast Asia summit in Indonesia came after a years-long break in relations over political and economic issues including Chinese sanctions on Australian imports.

"I... confirmed the invitation from President Xi," Mr. Albanese told reporters after talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, adding he "will visit China later this year at a mutually agreeable time".

The trip would be the first to China by an Australian Prime Minister since 2016.

Mr. Li told Mr. Albanese China was ready to work with Australia to resume exchanges in different areas, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported, without mentioning specific areas.

He said the Asia-Pacific region was the shared home of both countries and Beijing would work with Australia to safeguard peace and stability in the region, according to Xinhua.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing welcomed the planned visit and that "a healthy and stable China-Australia relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples".