Australia and China held Senior Officials’ Talks in Beijing on 9 October. The talks were co-chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, and the Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Ma Zhaoxu.

The talks covered a range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including trade and investment, consular matters, human rights, foreign interference, and regional and international security.

Secretary Adams welcomed the contribution that frank and regular dialogue makes to a stable and constructive Australia-China relationship, which is in the interests of both countries. She underscored that Australia would continue to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in our national interest.

The talks built on previous rounds of Senior Officials’ Talks held in Canberra in June 2025 and Beijing in May 2024.

Executive Vice Minister Ma is the most senior official in China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and previously served as China’s Ambassador to Australia from 2013 to 2016.