China believes that a healthy and stable China-Australia relation meets the fundamental interests of the two peoples. At a press conference on Wednesday, Geng Shuang, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, also said that China expects Australia to draw a lesson from the recently fluctuated relations.
Geng's remarks were a response to the former Australian ambassador to China, Geoff Raby, who said that "the China Threat leads to dead ends," warning that the bilateral relations are "at its lowest point."
Noting Raby's comments, Geng wished the Australian government would seriously consider the public opinion and rethink its policy towards China.
He called on the Australian side to treat its relations with China in an objective, fair, and sensible manner, and take the right steps to push forward the bilateral relations, based on mutual respect and equality.
Speaking of the China-Australia relations, Geng also refuted Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne's criticism over China's human rights issues, saying that China has lodged a solemn representation to Australia, hoping the country would make a more positive effort in improving relations and meeting China halfway.
