The 7th Meeting of the China-Australia High-level Dialogue in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Beijing, on September 7, 2023. Photo: Lao Ma

On September 7, the 7th Meeting of China-Australia High-level Dialogue convened senior representatives from government, industry, academia, media, and the arts, providing a platform for representatives to exchange perspectives across the breadth of China-Australia bilateral relationship. Gabi Hollows, founding director of the Fred Hollows Foundation, told the Global Times that the dialogue plays a significant role in strengthening the 50-year relationship between China and Australia, further bringing greater mutual benefits for people in the two nations.

The dialogue provides an opportunity for constructive discussions across a range of issues, including political relations, trade cooperation, global and regional issues, and people-to-people exchanges. The much-anticipated dialogue, hailed as "open, frank, and candid," also aids in deepening mutual trust, expanding cooperation, fostering friendship, and represents "another step toward increasing bilateral engagement and stabilizing the China-Australia relations."

"Australia and China have a meaningful bilateral relationship that goes beyond trade and diplomacy - we have a partnership that is about enhancing the wellbeing of people in both our nations. This relationship was reflected in the respectful and optimistic atmosphere of the dialogue, and I came out of the discussions feeling invigorated," Gabi told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

Representing the Fred Hollows Foundation, which has contributed to the eradication of avoidable blindness and visual impairment in China by performing 2.8 million eye operations and training more than 53,000 health workers from 1998, Gabi expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government and its Chinese partners' effort in improving public health. 

"I would like to reiterate my gratitude to the Chinese government's structured approach to working with international NGOs. I commend China's strides toward universal healthcare and prioritizing preventative medicine and quality of care. Our initiatives create platforms for skills exchange, nurturing our healthcare systems and building trust between Australia and China," Gabi said.

"One thing is clear from the dialogue: Health is a universal language that brings our nations together. Going forward, I believe the kind of relationship between Australia and China that would be most valuable is one where we continue to share a focus on sustainable, community-centered development," noted Gabi, calling for an open and professional exchange between the two nations to address shared challenges and continue an effective bilateral relationship.

"China will work with Australia to promote the sound, steady and sustainable development of China-Australia relations, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to regional peace, stability, and development," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who met with the Australian delegation on Thursday in Beijing.

The two countries resumed the high-level dialogue in Beijing after a three-year hiatus. With joint efforts from both sides, China-Australia relations have maintained a positive momentum of improvement, with positive signs in political exchange, trade cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

According to Gabi's preference for using her first name, GT refers to her as "Gabi" in the above text.

The author is a reporter with Global Times. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn