Jim Chalmers navigates missile concerns in China trade trip

Jim Chalmers is in China for major economic talks, but a massive military move by Beijing is weighing heavy on the visit.

Jim Chalmers is on a mission in Beijing to bring some stability to Australia’s economic relationship with China, but a major move by the country’s military is weighing heavy on talks.

A day before Mr Chalmers was set to be the first Australian treasurer to visit China in seven years, Beijing tested an intercontinental ballistic missile fitted with a with a dummy warhead, sparking regional apprehension and condemnation from Australia.

Mr Chalmers said on Friday he had conveyed Canberra’s concerns to Chinese government officials.

Jim Chalmers is treading carefully in China. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“Australia, like other countries in our region and around the world has a lot at stake when it comes to a stable, secure, peaceful and prosperous region,” he told reporters in Beijing.

“I was able to reiterate in the meetings yesterday afternoon our expectations of safe and professional conduct of all militaries operating in our region.

“Obviously, I’m aware of the reports about the testing … and I was able to raise that in the conversation yesterday afternoon.”

Australian and New Zealand naval vessels on Thursday sailed through the Taiwan Strait, which separates the island of Taiwan from China.

China claims the democratically self-governed island as well as vast areas of the strait, which is considered international waters.

Mr Chalmers said it was “not unusual for navies to conduct the kind of exercises” Australia and New Zealand did.

“These are routine activities, and they’re conducted in accordance with international law,” he said.

China's military says it has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. Picture: People’s Liberation Army

China’s self-described “routine” missile launch was the first of its kind in more than 40 years.

The Chinese military said it was “not directed at any country”, but ICBMs are primarily used as a delivery system for nuclear weapons, hence the concern.

Beijing has always maintained its nuclear arsenal, which is dwarfed by the US and Russia’s, is purely for deterrence.

Mr Chalmers’ visit comes as Canberra attempts fortify Australia’s economic relationship with its largest trade partner while also taking strategic steps broadly seen as curbing China’s growing ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Minister Richard Marles met with his US and UK counterparts in London on Thursday (local time) for AUKUS talks.

Out of the latest meeting came pledges to sign a new bilateral treaty between Australia and the UK legally binding them to the security pact.

Australia will get at least eight nuclear powered submarines as part of the AUKUS agreement.

“We meet at a time of significant moment around the world where the rules-based order is under pressure, under threat,” Mr Marles told a joint press conference in London.

“And our three countries share strategic alignment, we share values, we stand in support of the maintenance of the rules-based order, be that in Eastern Europe, be that in the Indo-Pacific and we are very grateful to have old, close, reliable partners such as the United Kingdom and the United States.”

Originally published as Jim Chalmers navigates missile concerns in China trade trip