Anthony Albanese has spoken out on Australia’s relations with China, admitting they have been as soon as not “healthy”.
The Prime Minister mentioned he was open to visiting China in early 2023 throughout an interview with Sky News on Thursday.
“We of course will examine any invitation that come in,” he mentioned.
“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 mentioned a delegation of Australian MPs visiting Taiwan was not supposed to taper the 2 international locations’ relations.
“This wasn’t a government-to-government visit by those MPs,” Mr Albanese mentioned.
“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 mentioned a robust relationship with China was paramount for Australia’s buying and selling place throughout the area.
“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 mentioned.
“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 dedicated to creating a safety cope with Vanuatu public in direct distinction to the contentious association solid between China and the Solomon Islands earlier this yr.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the promise in Port Vila on Tuesday after signing a cope with Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau that secures Australia because the island nation’s principal safety companion of alternative.
In a transparent reference to China, whose safety cope with the Solomon Islands was by no means launched publicly, Senator Wong mentioned the settlement could be out there for all as a result of the 2 international locations have been “committed to democracy, accountability and transparency”.
China signed a safety cope with the Solomon Islands earlier than the May election, prompting Mr Albanese to accuse former prime minister Scott Morrison of permitting a “Pacific stuff-up” below his watch.
