China welcomes Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ secretive visit

Chinese authorities have lauded Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ one-man delegation as an important step towards seeking ‘’common ground while shelving differences’.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in Nanjing, China, in September 2015. Picture: Instagram

Chinese authorities have lauded Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ one-man delegation as an important step towards seeking ‘‘common ground while shelving differences” in the wake of tensions over AUKUS.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ warm welcome was made at a press conference in Beijing amid controversy in Victoria about the secretive nature of the Premier’s mission.

“To improve, maintain and achieve sound growth of China-Australia relations serves the shared interest of both sides,” said Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Ministry.

“We hope Australia will work with China in line with the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and seeking common ground while shelving differences to properly handle issues we disagree on, expand co-operation, and promote the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.”

The four-day trip by Mr Andrews, the first state leader to visit China since the AUKUS pact was signed, has sparked controversy over its late announcement, the failure to invite media and scant detail released about meetings.

On Wednesday, Mr Andrews travelled from Beijing to Nanjing and released another short communique with little detail other than he was meeting with Xin Changxing, CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee party secretary, and Jiangsu governor Xu Kunlin.

The Premier’s statement provided more details of his day-one meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing, saying discussions with Li Xukui, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries vice president, focused on sister-state relations and future Victorian investments in Shandong and Henan.

‘‘There was also a discussion of more students in Melbourne studying complementary medicine and the prospect of traditional Chinese medicine companies visiting Melbourne,’’ the statement said.

The “very positive” meeting with Huai Jinpeng, education minister, during which the ‘‘Premier reinforced that Chinese students are safe and respected in Victoria’’, while Mr Huai indicated Chinese ‘‘parents would be more likely to send their children to study in Victoria than other places’’.

Chinese authorities have been releasing more details of the meeting than Mr Andrews. A statement published on the Education Ministry’s website said Mr Andrews and Mr Huai discussed deepening education exchanges.