Australia’s Governor General meets top Chinese leaders

Quentin Bryce and Li Keqiang

Australia’s Governor-General Quentin Bryce has met with China’s top political leaders in one of her final overseas tours in the post.

Mrs Bryce held meetings last night with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

It was Mr Bryce’s first visit as the official head of state to China but she did lead an education delegation to the nation three years ago.

She was afforded a 21-gun salute in neighbouring Tiananmen Square and was greeted by a crowd of excited schoolchildren waving small Australian flags. The flag is also flying across the square while Mrs Bryce is in China.

She will speak to the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Beijing before travelling to Xian, Chengdu and Guilin, in the nation’s south.

In the meeting, Mr Xi said China was proud of its diplomatic and business relationship with Australia.

Mrs Bryce will retire from office in March.

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