Scott Morrison makes impassioned plea to China to resolve trade stand off

As Communist Party chiefs shun the Morrison government, Scott Morrison has made a public plea to Chinese leaders to resolve the trade dispute between the two countries.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison officially meets Prime Minister of Japan Hon. Yoshihide Suga in Tokyo. Picture: Adam Taylor

Scott Morrison has called on Chinese leaders to come to the table to resolve the trade dispute between the two countries, as Communist Party chiefs continue to blame Australia.

Speaking from Japan, on a flying trip to meet his counterpart Yoshihide Suga, the Prime Minister again sought to reach out to China amid rising concerns over restrictions on Australian exports including beef, barley, wine and seafood.

“If there are ever any issues there, that cover any of our trading relationships — whether it’s between Australia and Japan, or Australia and China, or Australia and South Korea or anywhere else within the region — then there’s a responsibility on leaders and ministers to be open to engage in those discussions,” Mr Morrison said.

“If there are issues that others wish to discuss with us, then we’re always very open to discuss them.”

While Communist Party chiefs refuse to answer calls from the Morrison government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian claimed “the responsibility for causing this situation doesn’t lie with China at all”.

He said Australia “grossly interfered” by taking a stand on questions of human rights and democracy “concerning China’s core interests like Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan”.

Mr Zhao also accused the Morrison government of “slander” without “any evidence” in its targeting of foreign interference, saying that “poisoned the atmosphere of bilateral relations”.

And he again tried to argue that Australia engaged in “political manipulation” by seeking an independent global inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s comments come as he tours Japan. Picture: Adam Taylor

“The Australian side should reflect on this seriously, rather than shirking the blame and deflecting responsibility,’ Mr Zhao said.

Mr Morrison’s Japan visit included the signing of a landmark defence pact, which will streamline access to each country’s military bases and assist in upholding regional security as China takes a more assertive stance.

The Prime Minister said the agreement should not cause any concern to China and “adds to the stability of the region”.

He said his relationship with Mr Suga, the new prime minister, “got off to a cracker of a start”. They called each other “Yoshi” and “ScoMo”, and Mr Morrison handed over gifts including a Bill Granger cookbook.

Mr Suga is said to enjoy the ricotta pancakes served at the Aussie chef’s Tokyo cafe.

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