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Police clashed with demonstrators demonstrating against the arrival of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
A crowd of activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra on Wednesday afternoon to accuse China of human rights abuses in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang.
Footage showed dozens of protesters waving Tibetan flags, chanting “Free Tibet” and other anti-Chinese government slogans.
Officers were forced to evict activists who tried to enter the diplomatic complex where Mr Yi met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
The talks were aimed at stabilizing troubled relations which have been marred by China’s implementation of tariffs in the wake of the Covid pandemic – including on major Australian exports like wine, seafood and beef.
A crowd of activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra on Wednesday afternoon to accuse China of human rights abuses in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang.
Senator Wong (right) held his sixth meeting with the visiting dignitary (left) to discuss trade, security and pandas.
It was the sixth meeting between the two men, where they discussed trade, security and even pandas.
Senator Wong also raised the issue of Australian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun, who was sentenced to death in the authoritarian country.
Other issues raised included human rights concerns in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong as well as the future of Taiwan.
According to Senator Wong, the two men recognized that China and Australia both need to manage their differences and focus on their common interests.
After the meeting, Ms Wong said: “As Minister Wang emphasized during our meeting, it is in both of our interests that we have a mature and productive relationship.”
Mr. Yi (right) met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left)
“We discussed a range of common interests and the progress we have made on the agreed outcomes at the Sixth Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, including the resumption of the annual bilateral leaders’ meeting.
“We agreed to continue our bilateral engagements on issues such as consular affairs, defense and trade, and to expand dialogue in key areas of importance such as climate and energy cooperation in the Pacific.”
Ms Wong said the meeting was an opportunity to “exchange frank views” on issues of interest to them and “manage their differences”.
The visiting Chinese dignitary is also expected to meet in the coming days with former Prime Minister Paul Keating, who has criticized the current government for its “reckless pro-American stance.”