Future US-China relationship ‘critical’ for Australia

The incoming Biden administration will be important to the future of the Asia-Pacific region, Labor senator Penny Wong warns.

The rivalry between global superpowers China and the US under a Biden administration will be critical to Australia’s strained relationship with Beijing, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong says.

As President-elect Joe Biden prepares for Thursday’s inauguration ceremony, experts have turned their attention to how Donald Trump’s departure could affect tensions between Australia and its largest trading partner.

Ms Wong said the US Alliance and its engagement in the region was critical to Australia’s future.

“How this Biden administration handles the competition with China is critical to Australia’s interests,” Senator Wong told ABC RN.

“What we need to do, as a nation, is to work very closely with the incoming administration on ensuring we build and protect the sort of region we want, in which sovereignty is protected, where states are respected, and where trade is open and fair.”

A Biden-Harris banner hangs in front of the White House ahead of the 59th inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Picture: Timothy A. Clary / AFP

Senator Wong said she’d been heartened by comments from people close to the incoming president, who have criticised China for blocking Australian resources and exports.

But she warned that Australia had its work cut out.

“We have to do more work in the alliance, it’s more than a series of photo ops and a discussion about mateship,” Senator Wong said.

One of the main challenges that Mr Morrison faces, according to Senator Wong, is Mr Biden’s promise to make America a leader on climate, which includes a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

“We have a leader in Australia, Mr Morrison, who refuses to commit Australia to net zero emissions,” she said.

“If Mr Morrison wants to come to the table in a meaningful way with the US president on climate, he’s going to have to shift his position.”

Penny Wong says Scott Morrison needs to ‘shift his position’ on climate change. Picture: Sean Davey

Senator Wong was also asked about reports that more Chinese spies are infiltrating Australian universities.

The Chinese Communist Party has reportedly recruited more than 300 scientists and scholars through its talent recruitment programs, according to The Australian.

Senator Wong said foreign interference in Australia was a serious issue, and she called on the government to do more.

“What we have is a government that talks tough on sovereignty but is insufficiently supporting the universities to build their resilience to these sorts of risks,” she said.

“It is for this government not only to explain but to demonstrate that it is prepared to move from tough rhetoric to making sure it works with institutions such as the universities to protect Australia’s sovereignty.”