Li congratulates new Australian PM

Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message on Monday to Anthony Albanese on taking office as the new Australian prime minister, saying Beijing is willing to push forward bilateral ties with Canberra.

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, Li said.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Australia, Li noted that the Australian Labor Party, now led by Albanese, made the right decision in the 1970s to establish diplomatic ties with China, which significantly contributed to the development of Sino-Australian ties.

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.

Albanese was sworn in as Australia's 31st prime minister in a short ceremony in Canberra on Monday, after his predecessor Scott Morrison conceded defeat in Friday's election.

Albanese said in a media briefing after taking office that the country's relationship with China would remain "a difficult one", before leaving for a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue summit in Japan with United States President Joe Biden and leaders of Japan and India.

Since late 2017, the Sino-Australian relationship has been suffering difficulties after Australian moves grossly interfered in China's domestic affairs, inflicted discriminatory trade practices against the nation and undermined China's interests.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has reiterated that the responsibility does not rest with China, and it urged the Australian government to adopt an objective, rational and responsible attitude toward developing its relations with China.

Chen Xiaochen, executive deputy director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Studies at East China Normal University in Shanghai, said, "Indeed, China wants to remind the Australian side of the outstanding contribution made by then-Australian Labor Party prime minister Gough Whitlam to bilateral relations."

However, Chen said that there remains a big question whether there is a "second Whitlam" in the Australian Labor Party and whether it can show the courage and wisdom of Whitlam, who visited Beijing in 1971 and promoted the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Australia.

"The urgent task for the new Australian government is to 'slam on the brakes' to stop the rising China hatred among the Australian policymaking circle, at least to stop irrational warmongering and war preparing against China, to respond to positive signals from China before other steps," he said.

Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies' Department of American Studies, said on her social media account that the China-Australia relationship has suffered damage under the Morrison administration, which also harmed the interests of Australia.

"Yet the election of Albanese will not immediately bring bilateral ties back on the right track, but it still could be expected that for the benefit of Australian people, the new prime minister might adjust some reckless policies adopted by Morrison," Su said.