Li Keqiang: China has not militarized the South China Sea
During a visit to Australia on Friday, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang responded to reporters` questions that China had not militarized the South China Sea, but acknowledged that it had deployed defense equipment on islands and reefs in disputed waters to safeguard "freedom of navigation", Reuters reported.
Due to the construction of the South China Sea islands and reefs, China has attracted a great deal of criticism in the international community. Li Keqiang told reporters that China`s construction in the South China Sea is only for civil purposes. "China`s equipment, China`s islands and reefs, mainly for civil purposes. Even if part of the defense equipment does exist, it is to maintain freedom of navigation. " The Chinese prime minister said.
At present, China has declared sovereignty over most of the resource-rich waters of the South China Sea, and it is reported that ship-borne trade through the waters is estimated to be as high as 5 trillion annually. With the exception of China, its neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have declared sovereignty over the same waters.
The United States has claimed that China has built seven man-made islands in the South China Sea over the past three years, adding more than 3200 acres (1300 hectares) of land and building runways, ports, hangars and communications equipment on it.
China-Australia talks on North Korea
In response to UN Security Council resolutions, China has announced it will stop exporting coal to North Korea, the Australian newspaper reported. Australian Prime Minister Tam Po (Malcolm Turnbull) said he welcomed China`s move.
On Friday, Mr. Tan and Mr. Li Keqiang met in Canberra to discuss the "serious threat" posed by North Korea and the need for it to end its nuclear weapons research.
"the Chinese Premier discussed with me the issue of regional security and the importance of maintaining an international rule-based order, which is critical to regional peace," Tan told reporters.
China and Australia reach New Agreement on Beef Export
At a joint press conference between the two prime ministers, Tan Bao announced that he had reached a new agreement with Li Keqiang on beef exports, lifting the original restrictions on just 11 exporters, and that all eligible Australian exporters would then be able to export frozen beef to China. That said, there are 36 other Australian beef exporters who can also deliver beef to China.
The new beef export deal represents a new phase in the year-old China-Australia free trade agreement. Mr. Tan said Australia was the only country in the world to be given this market access advantage, and said the new deal would bring about significant growth, with trade in frozen beef expected to reach A $400 million a year for Australia`s exports to China.
In addition to discussing issues such as the South China Sea, North Korea, beef exports and so on, the results of the meeting between the two prime ministers also include:
Australia`s BBI GROUP has signed a A $6 billion deal with China Construction and Engineering Corporation to develop (Balla mine), railways and iron ore exports from (Pilbara) `s Barra mining area in Pilbara, Western Australia.
Australian Consulate in Shenyang completed in 2018
The Services and Investment Section of the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement will be reviewed
Strengthen quarantine cooperation
Ministerial Energy Communication and Innovation Dialogue
Vocational education and training cooperation
Artistic and cultural exchange
Enterprise round table
