Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ summit.
Speaking to reporters, Albanese said of his seventh meeting with Li, “Once again, it was a positive meeting.” He added, “This is a relationship that has improved; that is stabilising.”
Albanese disclosed that in their meeting, he and Li had discussed the Australian leader’s visit to the US last week during which he and US President Donald Trump signed a $8.5 billion critical minerals deal.
The US is eyeing Australia’s rich rare earth resources at a time when China is imposing tougher rules on exporting its own critical minerals abroad.
China has removed a series of official and unofficial trade barriers since Albanese’s center-left government was first elected in 2022.
The barriers imposed in 2020 when Beijing banned Minister-to-Minister bilateral contacts had cost Australian exporters up to $13 billion a year.
“We talked about the relationship with the US I clearly have indicated the success of my visit to the United States and we talked in a common way about that it was a good thing that President Trump and President Xi (Jinping) are having a meeting over the next little period.”
Anthony Albanese
In a post on X, Albanese noted that Australia’s relationship with China matters for its economy, security and the stability of the region.
He stressed that work on bringing back trade with China has already made a huge difference for Australian workers and businesses. “China is our largest trading partner and that won’t change,” he added.
“Today’s meeting with Premier Li was an opportunity to continue stabilising our relationship. By having direct discussions and regular dialogue, we can navigate our differences and advocate for Australia’s interests.”
Anthony Albanese
According to Chinese state news agency reports, Li told Albanese that China hoped Australia will provide an open, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in the country.
Li added that China was also willing to cooperate with Australia on the green economy, high-tech industries and the digital sector.
Australia shares US concerns over China’s global dominance in critical minerals and control over supply chains in the renewable energy sector.
Last year, the Australian government ordered five China-linked companies to divest their shares in the rare earth mining company Northern Minerals, citing Australia’s national interests. Australia’s foreign investment rules also prevent Chinese ownership of critical infrastructure.
Albanese Raises Hostile Chinese Warplane Maneuvers
Moreover, Albanese said that he had also raised in his meeting with Li, the behavior of a Chinese fighter jet during a confrontation with an Australian air force surveillance plane in international air space over the South China Sea on October 19, 2025.
Australian Defense Minister, Richard Marles said last week that the Chinese Su-35 jet twice released flares “very close” to the Australian P-8 Poseidon aircraft.
Australia officially protested what the government described as the Chinese air crew’s unsafe and unprofessional behavior.
Meanwhile, Senior Col. Li Jianjian, a Chinese military spokesperson, accused the Australian aircraft of illegally entering the airspace of China’s Xisha Islands without Beijing’s approval.
“The actions of the Australian side seriously violated China’s sovereignty and could easily trigger unexpected maritime or aerial incidents. We sternly warn Australia to immediately cease its infringement and provocation.” the officer said in a statement last week.
Li Jianjian
Albanese revealed that he told the Chinese Premier “this was an incident of concern for Australia.” “We have disagreements and friends are able to discuss issues frankly. I did that directly,” Albanese said.
He added that Li “heard the message very directly.”
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