Australian travellers will now be allowed to stay in China for up to 15 days without the need for a visa, a decision announced during a visit to Australia by Chinese Communist Party Premier Li Qiang. This program will enable tourists and businesspeople to make short trips to China without the usual $110 visa processing fee. Premier Li made this announcement in Canberra, also agreeing to five-year visas for reciprocal access between the two countries. This move aims to facilitate personal exchanges and strengthen the relationship between Australia and China.
In addition to the visa waiver program, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of renewing and revitalizing the engagement between Australia and Beijing. Both nations have agreed on various Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and arrangements to shape their practical cooperation, including collaboration on tackling climate change and investing in renewable energy.
During his visit to Australia, Premier Li also announced the gifting of new pandas to Australia, symbolizing the ongoing friendship between the two countries. The visit focused heavily on trade, as two-way trade between Australia and China reached a record $327 billion in 2023. Despite past trade disputes, the Albanese government is committed to removing trade impediments and fostering dialogue with China in areas of mutual interest.
While the visit was primarily focused on trade and cooperation, there were concerns raised by human rights protesters regarding the CCP’s human rights abuses. Groups representing Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hongkongers, Falun Gong practitioners, and others urged the Australian government to address these issues alongside trade discussions. The visit marked the first time a CCP premier had visited Australia since 2017, highlighting the significance of the discussions and agreements made during the trip. Please rewrite this sentence.
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