Chinese premier congratulates Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on election victory

“China stands ready to work with Australia to learn from the past, look to the future and push forward the sound and stable development of a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership by adhering to the principles of mutual respect and win-win results,” Li said

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wrote to congratulate Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his election victory, which some Australian media reported on May 24 was a thawing of bilateral relations that Beijing put into deep freeze more than two years ago.

Chinese Ministers had refused to return phone calls of their Australian counterparts under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative administration.

Mr. Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong were sworn in Monday, then immediately flew to Tokyo for a summit with the U.S., Japanese and Indian leaders after Australia's centre-left Labor Party narrowly won an election on Saturday.

Li told Mr. Albanese: “The sound and stable development of the Sino-Australian relationship conforms to the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the two peoples and is also conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region,” China Daily reported.

“China stands ready to work with Australia to learn from the past, look to the future and push forward the sound and stable development of a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership by adhering to the principles of mutual respect and win-win results,” Li added. Mr. Abanese confirmed that he had received a “letter of congratulation” from Li and other world leaders.

“I welcome that,” Mr. Albanese said in Tokyo. “We will respond appropriately in time.” Mr. Albanese has said he expected bilateral relations to remain difficult despite Australia's government change. Mr. Albanese has promised greater Australian engagement with South Pacific island neighboors to counter growing Chinese influence in the region.