WHAT CHINA THINKS:
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Chinese ambassador Cheng Jingye made a speech at an Australia China Business Council event in Canberra on Tuesday, and gave an interview on the run afterwards.
Here is what he had to say...
ON CONCERNS CHINESE INVESTMENT IS SADDLING PACIFIC NATIONS WITH UNSUSTAINABLE DEBT:
* We have always been sensitive to any possible debt burden and any items that we have in cooperation with these countries we are very careful about the ability to (repay) debt.
ON PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL VISITING CHINA THIS YEAR:
* There are discussions and exchanges at different levels. When there is any news, we will let you know.
ON THE AUSTRALIA-CHINA RELATIONSHIP BEING DAMAGED:
* I think there are some difficulties, obviously.
* The Cold War is over, but in some people's mindset it's still there. Their body may have moved into a new century, but their thinking is still there.
ON QUESTIONS OF CHINESE INTERFERENCE:
* China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries, let alone carry out so-called infiltration of other countries.
* China's idea is to carry out equal cooperation with all countries, including Australia, to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
ON HOW TO FIX THE AUSTRALIA-CHINA RELATIONSHIP:
* To dispel the clouds and achieve sustainable and sound development in our bilateral relations, the two countries need to have more interaction and inclusiveness with less bias or bigotry.
* We need to respect each other's core interests and main concerns, while managing our differences in a constructive manner.
* We have many shared interests. We both stand for free trade and open economy, so there is no reason for us not to develop a better relationship with each other."
Australian Associated Press
