China Wants to Renew Australia Defense Ties, Senior Envoy Says

  • Liu Jianchao acknowledges nations’ militaries have concerns
  • Two nations’ navies had spat recently over diving operations
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China wants to renew its defense relations with Australia, senior diplomat Liu Jianchao said on a visit to Sydney, a sign that a recent tense military encounter likely won’t derail an improvement of overall ties.

“I believe it’s very important and China is also very proactive in resuming such a relationship based on mutual respect and mutual benefit,” Liu, the head of the Communist Party’s International Department, told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.