APEC axing denies Morrison chance to meet President Xi

Scott Morrison has been denied the opportunity of a face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month.

Scott Morrison meets with Xi Jinping during the G20 in Osaka, Japan, in June. Picture: Adam Taylor

Scott Morrison has been denied the opportunity of a face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month with the cancellation of this year’s APEC leaders’ meeting by host nation Chile.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera called off APEC and the UN global climate change summit next month, amid a wave of protests that left more than a dozen people dead and hundreds injured.

The Prime Minister was hoping for a bilateral meeting with Mr Xi at the summit, as Australia looks to strengthen ties with Beijing while maintaining a more outspoken stance on key issues.

Mr Xi and US President Donald Trump had hoped to sign a modest trade agreement at the APEC summit, formerly scheduled to take place in Santiago on November 16-17.

Lowy Institute executive director Michael Fullilove said the cancellation of APEC Leaders’ Week was bad news for the international community and Australia.

“The cancellation robs Australia and other countries of the chance of bilateral meetings, including with Chinese leaders.

“It weakens an important regional institution, one that Australia helped to establish, at a time when regional co-operation is vital.”