www.dfat.gov.au /news/media/Pages/high-level-security-dialogue-with-china-joint-statement
High-Level Security Dialogue with China: Joint Statement
Media Release
On 21 April, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Attorney-General George Brandis launched the inaugural
Australia-China High-Level Security Dialogue, with Secretary Meng Jianzhu, head of the Chinese
Communist Party's Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs (CCPLA). Prime Minister Turnbull
announced the new dialogue with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Australia in March.
The Dialogue was co-chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms
Frances Adamson and the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department Mr Chris Moraitis PSM, with
CCPLA Secretary-General Wang Yongqing. The Dialogue included exchanges on legal and judicial
issues, transnational crime and related bilateral cooperation. Australia reaffirmed its commitment to
pursue ratification of the bilateral extradition treaty. During the dialogue, Australia and China agreed to
strengthen law enforcement cooperation and deepen dialogue on cyber issues and counter-terrorism.
Australia and China agreed the next round of the High-Level Security Dialogue would take place at senior
officials' level in Beijing. The Dialogue agreed on the Joint Statement below.
Australia-China High-Level Security Dialogue
Held on 21 April 2017 in Sydney
Joint Statement
In accordance with the consensus reached between Prime Minister Turnbull and Premier Li Keqiang in
Australia on 24 March 2017, the first session of the Australia-China High-Level Security Dialogue was
convened in Sydney on 21 April 2017.
The opening session of the Dialogue was launched by the Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Julie Bishop
MP and the Attorney-General Senator the Hon George Brandis QC for Australia, and the Secretary of the
Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs (CCPLA) Mr Meng Jianzhu for China. The Dialogue
was co-chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms Frances Adamson
and the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department Mr Chris Moraitis PSM with the SecretaryGeneral of the CCPLA Mr Wang Yongqing. Key topics of discussion, as agreed between leaders, included
counter-terrorism, countering cybercrime, transnational crime, justice issues and other important issues
related to security.
The two delegations agreed to the following areas of cooperation, to be conducted in accordance with the
respective laws and regulations of the two countries:
1. Cooperation on legal and judicial issues
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