Despite tensions, Australia and China pave way for improved ties

THE leaders of Australia and China joked about the relative cuteness of pandas and Tasmanian devils on Monday in a largely symbolic meeting that reflected the ongoing upswing in relations between the two countries after several years of acrimony and division.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is making the first visit by an Australian leader to China in seven years is a sign of both how low relations fell and how they have begun to stabilise. He and Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the gradual improvement in ties in the past year and emphasised the importance of engaging with each other despite differences on