China has congratulated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in Tokyo for a meeting with key allies, on his recent election. "It is China that has changed, not Australia, and Australia should always stand up for our values," the 59-year-old centre-left Labor Party leader said. (File photo by= AFP/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)

[아시아뉴스통신=레악카나 기자]  BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has sent a congratulatory note to newly elected Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, Beijing's state media reported, ending a year-long freeze in diplomatic contact between the two countries, AFP reported.
 
China cut off diplomatic and trade channels with Australia in a largely symbolic act of fury last May, following clashes over issues including human rights, espionage, and the origins of COVID-19. "The Chinese side is ready to work with the Australian side to review the past, look into the future ... to promote the sound and steady growth of their comprehensive strategic partnership," Li said, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency late Monday. Albanese said the letter was "welcome" and said he would "respond appropriately" when he returns from a summit of Quad leaders in Tokyo.
 
But he has previously warned that the relationship will remain difficult. "It is China that has changed, not Australia, and Australia should always stand up for our values," the 59-year-old center-left Labor Party leader said. Li's message came as Albanese was heading for his first foreign engagement in Tokyo, where he is meeting with the leaders of Japan, India, and the United States. Australia has expressed concerns about Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific region including a recent security pact between China and the Solomon Islands.