The 7th Australia-China High Level Dialogue will be held in Beijing on 7 September, providing a platform for senior representatives from industry, government, academia, media and the arts to exchange perspectives across the breadth of Australia and China’s bilateral relationship.
The Dialogue is an opportunity for constructive discussion between stakeholders on both sides of the bilateral relationship across a range of issues, including trade and investment, people-to-people links and regional and international security.
Former Trade Minister, the Hon Dr Craig Emerson, will co-chair the Dialogue as the head of the Australian delegation.
Reflecting bipartisan support for the Dialogue since its establishment, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop, will participate as a delegate and session lead.
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, will also attend as part of the delegation and participate as a session lead.
The Dialogue has contributed to Australia’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China since it was first held in 2014.
The National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and the Chinese People’s Institute for Foreign Affairs co-host the Dialogue. China’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Honorary President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, Li Zhaoxing, will co-chair and lead the Chinese delegation.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:
“This is first time the Dialogue has been held since early 2020 and it represents another step towards increasing bilateral engagement and stabilising our relationship with China.
“The resumption of the Dialogue was one of the outcomes of my meeting with China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in Beijing in December.
“It provides an opportunity for representatives from both countries to discuss our perspectives and how we can grow our cooperation in areas of shared interest.”
Hon Dr Craig Emerson said:
“Since it was established, the Dialogue has been an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding with Chinese participants and to find common ground.
“I am proud to lead the Australian delegation and contribute to the Albanese government’s efforts to stabilise the relationship with China.”