China’s wolf warrior era over, says Alexander Downer

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer says Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Bali signals an end to China’s ‘wolf warrior diplomacy’.

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer.

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer says Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Bali signals an end to China’s “wolf warrior diplomacy” and will quell fears of war in the region.

Following a long-awaited dialogue between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Mr Downer said it showed China was willing to build a “mature and contemporary” relationship with Australia.

“Australia should be willing to rebuild the relationship, as they have always been, but it seems China has decided that a wolf warrior diplomacy is not the way to go,” Mr Downer said.

He said Australia should not be pursuing a policy of containment but rather a relationship based on “mutual respect”, arguing Australia must not allow itself to be “bullied” by China.

He said China’s decision to impose trade sanctions following Scott Morrison’s push for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 had “driven countries in the region into each others’ arms” and “achieved absolutely nothing”.

But Australian Strategic Policy Institute expert Malcolm Davis downplayed hopes for a strategic reset between Australia and China, arguing the meeting did nothing to diffuse longstanding tensions nor minimise the ­potential for open conflict.

Mr Davis said Australia should attempt to find areas of soft diplomacy with China such as climate change, trade sanctions and global wealth disparity while recognising tensions remained over Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Pacific.

“This is an initial discussion which ends a period of no diplomatic contact,” Mr Davis said. “It is not indicative of a reset. Having one meeting doesn’t necessarily solve all issues that confront both Australia and China.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday acknowledged “differences” in the interests of Australia and China but argued it was best to manage ­conflict through dialogue.

“There are differences which go to our national interest, our national security, and we will manage them but it is better ­managed wisely and it is better managed with dialogue, and that is what we intend to do,” Senator Wong said.

Former Australian ambassador to China Geoff Raby said the high-level talks could see some issues resolved within weeks, and that Senator Wong should follow up the leaders’ meeting with a diplomatic trip to Beijing.

“I’m optimistic that this will open the way to … a more open relationship with China, not this same frothy, effervescent one we once had,” Mr Raby told the ABC.

Peter Dutton welcomed the meeting but reiterated that China must be held to account over human rights abuses, pointing to China’s detainment of Australian journalist Cheng Lei.

The Opposition Leader advocated for a “normalised” relationship with China.