Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks on China relations
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken about Australia’s relationship with China and revealed he was open to mending bridges.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Anthony Albanese has spoken out on Australia’s relations with China, admitting they were once not “healthy”.
The Prime Minister said he was open to visiting China in early 2023 during an interview with Sky News on Thursday.
“We of course will examine any invitation that come in,” he said.
“That makes a big change from the previous term when there was no contact, not even phone contact and that’s not a healthy situation.”
He said a delegation of Australian MPs visiting Taiwan was not intended to taper the two countries’ relations.
“This wasn’t a government-to-government visit by those MPs,” Mr Albanese said.
“I think this year has seen a better relationship, clearly, with China.
“When I met with President Xi Jinping in Bali, what we’ve said was that we would continue to look at measures to move forward together.”
Mr Albanese said a strong relationship with China was paramount for Australia’s trading place within the region.
“It is in our interest to have a better relationship with our major trading partner, but it’s also in the interests of peace and security in the region to have dialogue,” he said.
“What I’ve said about China is we should co-operate where we can but be prepared to disagree where we must, and we will always of course seek to stand up for Australia’s national interest.”
It comes days after Australia committed to making a security deal with Vanuatu public in direct contrast to the contentious arrangement forged between China and the Solomon Islands earlier this year.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the promise in Port Vila on Tuesday after signing a deal with Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau that secures Australia as the island nation’s principal security partner of choice.
In a clear reference to China, whose security deal with the Solomon Islands was never released publicly, Senator Wong said the agreement would be available for all because the two countries were “committed to democracy, accountability and transparency”.
China signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands before the May election, prompting Mr Albanese to accuse former prime minister Scott Morrison of allowing a “Pacific stuff-up” under his watch.
Originally published as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks on China relations
Sailors killed in yacht race identified
The two sailors tragically killed overnight during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race have been identified.
Grim forecast for fire the ‘size of Singapore’
Authorities warn fierce bushfires that are estimated to have become ‘the size of Singapore’ could continue to burn for weeks.
Elderly woman dies in horror house fire
The body of a woman in her 70s has been found inside a home that was destroyed in a horrific fire.
And the Bandt just keeps on braying
Adam Bandt publicly asking the Labor Party to share power with the Greens is making all of the right’s Christmas dreams – Peter Dutton as next PM – come true, writes Joe Hildebrand.
Parliament like a football team without skilled players
If you were picking our parliament like a football team, most would not have their job, as we’d be picking players who have never played the football of life before, writes Vikki Campion.
‘Entitled’ locals blasted over beach party
A local cafe owner urged against a “nanny state” ban after 15,000 revellers left piles of rubbish at a beach party bash.