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China-Australia relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Australia wants stable relationship with ‘great power’ China, says Foreign Minister Penny Wong

  • In a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Wong urges Beijing to use its influence on the UN Security Council to end the war in Ukraine
  • The Chinese foreign minister says ties should be more stable and less prone to ‘accidents’ following a series of disagreements in recent years

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Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong addressed the United Nations general assembly in New York. Photo: Bloomberg
Reuters
Australia is aiming for a stable relationship with China despite their differences, especially on trade, Australia’s foreign minister said, as she called on Beijing to use its influence as a great power to help end the war in Ukraine.
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Australia’s ties with its largest trading partner are at a low ebb after disputes over a number of issues, including the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, trade and Australian accusations of Chinese interference.

“I think it is a long road on which many steps will have to be taken by both parties to a more stable relationship,” Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said after meeting her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“In terms of issues of difference, obviously first amongst them is the issue of trade blockages, and that is the issue I focused on at the outset,” she said.

In the meeting, the Chinese minister emphasised the importance of stable bilateral ties, which he said ought to be more resilient and not be prone to “accidents” given 50 years of diplomatic relations, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry on Saturday.

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China is willing to “properly resolve differences and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations”, Wang said.

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