Anthony Albanese, Xi Jinping meet at G20 summit in Rio [Video]

Rio de Janeiro: Chinese President Xi Jinping has acknowledged the “twists and turns” in his government’s relations with Australia during a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that sought to cement a strategic partnership that has been rocked by trade disputes.

Xi told Albanese there had been a “turnaround” in relations in recent times and held out the prospect of expanding the economic ties, without using his public remarks to reflect on the previous governments and old disputes.

But the positive message came with a statement that Australia should shelve differences with China if it wanted relations to develop well.

Albanese held the formal talks with Xi at the Chinese leader’s hotel in Rio de Janeiro before both leaders …