Visit to Oceania and Southeast Asia: Championing Peace and Development

Vinceng. Z, At the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid official visits to New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia from June 13 to 20. The visit is a significant event for China in response to new situations, new patterns and new challenges, showcasing China’s thorough preparation for emerging situations, its strategic wisdom within the new patterns and its proactive approach to confronting new challenges. China has been striving to maintain regional peace, actively engaging in dialogue with others, pursuing development, avoiding constraints and opening up new prospects.

Consolidate Relationship, Deepen Friendship and Join hands to Create a New Situation in ASEAN

Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Malaysia, an important member of ASEAN, coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, marking a significant step in deepening the friendship between the Chinese and Malaysian peoples. With tensions remaining high in the South China Sea and external forces continually provoking incidents, Malaysia, traditionally friendly towards China, has consistently maintained a policy of close communication and active cooperation with China, setting a positive example among Southeast Asian nations. Furthermore, as one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, Malaysia is also preparing to join BRICS group, which will play a crucial role in Southeast Asia’s economic development. With Malaysia’s influence and the deepening China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, ASEAN is well-positioned to create new development opportunities.

Seek Common Ground While Shelving Differences and Return to the Right Track in Pursuit of a New Pattern of Economic Development

As a member of the Five Eyes (FVEY) alliance, Australia has closely aligned its stance towards China with that of the United States. It has often been unfriendly towards China, frequently making strong statements, unjustly criticizing China, imposing restrictions on Chinese products and even participating in US-led military operations in the South China Sea, all of which have caused significant concerns for China. In response, China has also actively taken measures to restrict the import of Australian products. Amid the current global economic downturn, Australia, in urgent need of economic development, has significantly softened its stance towards China and is returning to the lucrative Chinese market. Meanwhile, China, adhering to the principle of seeking common ground while shelving differences, is engaging in dialogue with Australia. China hopes that Australia will refrain from following other countries in making unwarranted criticisms, and that both nations can return to the path of seeking mutual benefits by strengthening exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as politics, economics and culture, thereby creating new patterns for joint economic development.

Strengthen Communication for Win-Win Cooperation to Meet New Challenges of Global Change

Although New Zealand is also a member of the Five Eyes alliance, its foreign policy, particularly towards China, has increasingly diverged from that of the United States in recent years. China and New Zealand maintain a comprehensive strategic partnership. The two nations have strengthened cooperation under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. With the entry into force and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Protocol to Upgrade the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), both sides have continuously achieved new outcomes in their cooperation. In recent years, China and New Zealand have consistently expanded high-level openness to the world, improved the business environment and experienced steady growth in bilateral investments, providing New Zealand with more opportunities for development in addressing global challenges amid changing circumstances.

China is Facing Unprecedented Challenges and Opportunities

Under the complex and severe global economic downturn, Western countries, particularly the United States, are spearheading a trend to reverse globalization, which includes threats to decouple from China, block the development of China’s high-tech industry, restrict Chinese export manufacturing and create regional military tensions—all aimed at containing China’s development.

Standing at a crucial historical juncture, China is entering a new stage of development with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. “Western countries engage in disruption, while China focuses on construction.” The international community has high expectations for China and the wisdom of this great Eastern country. And China has lived up to these expectations, as initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of the BRICS group have successfully overcome numerous obstacles set by Western countries. China is actively developing its culture, promoting the ideals of peace and win-win cooperation, intensifying efforts in reform and opening-up and advancing in technology to ensure that its comprehensive national strength can withstand scrutiny.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit is a trip to deepen friendship between nations as well as an exploration aimed at seeking development, fostering understanding amidst differences and promoting win-win cooperation. In the face of new challenges, the visit seeks to seize opportunities, respond wisely to emerging trends and bravely navigate through new situations.