As spy stories go, the recent foray and ultimate demise of China’s surveillance balloon across the United States is not very promising. Beijing probably did not learn any state secrets, and the eventual downing of the unmanned aerial system once it was safely over water is hardly the stuff of Le Carré. Yet the balloon incident is a powerful illustration of why Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has been calling for the US and China to put in place “guardrails” to manage their competition responsibly. Coming only months after…
Tag: Penny Wong
Australian and Chinese trade ministers meet for first time in three years
The Australian trade minister is meeting with his Chinese counterpart for the first time in three years as Canberra continues to urge Beijing to remove tariffs and bans on key export sectors. Don Farrell, who was in Canberra for the resumption of parliament, is meeting virtually with the Chinese commerce minister, Wang Wentao, on Monday. The Australians were expected to use Monday’s meeting to push for the resumption of unimpeded trade. Canberra doesn’t believe the differences can be solved overnight, but sees the meeting as a step towards the goal.…
All countries must help prevent ‘catastrophic’ war amid China-US tensions, Australian minister says
The Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will call on all countries to play their part to prevent a “catastrophic” war in the Indo-Pacific region. Amid increasing tensions between the United States and China, Wong will use a speech in London on Tuesday to warn that the region is becoming “more dangerous and volatile”. She will also welcome the United Kingdom’s increased involvement in the Indo-Pacific despite the ongoing focus on the conflict in Ukraine. The UK’s stance recognises that a war in the region would have far-reaching impacts across…
China raises Australia’s hopes over detained pair and trade disputes amid thaw in relations
China’s ambassador to Australia has offered a glimmer of hope about the cases of two Australians detained in China, saying he wants a “solution” to be found as quickly as possible as Canberra continues to push for their release. Xiao Qian also revealed that Chinese and Australian officials were in talks in Geneva about resolving their trade disputes, and he held open the possibility of resuming two-way talks about human rights. In a wide-ranging press conference at the Chinese embassy in Canberra on Tuesday, Xiao was largely positive about the…
Australia’s lobster industry hopeful China will drop trade sanctions
Australia’s lobster industry is cautiously optimistic that China could soon remove trade restrictions, but exporters are wary of being “burned again” by sanctions and volatile diplomatic relations. Many businesses have been paying close attention to foreign affairs minister Penny Wong’s trip to China this week – the first by an Australian minister in three years – where she discussed “trade blockages” with her counterparts. At the height of a diplomatic rift in 2020, Beijing imposed a range of tariffs, bans and restrictions on Australian exports including wine, barley and lobsters,…
Australia news live: Penny Wong flies home after China talks; Liberal brand ‘not fit for purpose’
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Penny Wong raises human rights and trade with Chinese counterpart during historic talks
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has raised human rights, detained citizens and “trade blockages” in talks with her Chinese counterpart in Beijing on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Wong, the first Australian minister to visit China in three years, brought up the sensitive issues while declaring that small and medium-sized countries in the region wanted China and the US to responsibly manage their tensions. Wong met with China’s foreign minister and state councillor, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Wednesday. They agreed to begin or…
Australia news live: Penny Wong arrives in China for talks; vandalism of ancient Nullarbor Plain cave art ‘shocking’
From 36m ago SA minister condemns ‘shocking’ vandalism of ancient Indigenous cave art Kyam Maher, South Australia’s minister for Aboriginal affairs and attorney general, has condemned the vandals who have destroyed sacred Aboriginal cave art. Adelaide Now reported this week that vandals have destroyed 30,000-to-40,000-year-old Nullarbor Plain cave art that is sacred to the Mirning people of the Great Australian Bight: Traditional owners have been left “devastated” by the destruction of “fluting” designs carved into chalk limestone walls in Koonalda Cave, which is protected by locked steel gates. Maher has…
‘Starting to warm up’: Chinese state media welcomes Wong visit after Coalition’s ‘stupid’ policies
Chinese state media is urging Australia to resist being “swayed by Washington” and to “show verbal goodwill and substantial actions” on the eve of Penny Wong’s visit to Beijing. Two state media outlets published editorials that may give an indication of the Chinese government’s wishes for the next steps in what the Australian government calls a “stabilisation” of the relationship. Prior to her departure from Canberra on Tuesday, Australia’s foreign minister said it would help the relationship if China released detained Australians Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun so they could…
Australia news live: Penny Wong heads to China; South Australia braces for largest flood in 50 years
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