Labor has revealed its first priority is to fix Australia’s relationship with China as Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong prepare to sweep the Pacific to strengthen ties in the region.
The Albanian government has put China’s tariffs and trade restrictions on the agenda to fix the torn ties with the world superpower.
Beijing’s harsh coercive actions targeting Australia’s major exporting industries have lasted for nearly two years, but Labor has said it would be the first issue the new government would address when trying to improve bilateral relations.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the relationship with China was increasingly “complex” and required a “considered and sober” response from Canberra.
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Chalmers also reiterated assessment of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s situation and said China was becoming “even more aggressive and assertive.”
“The relationship with China is a complex relationship that is becoming stronger because of China’s actions,” the treasurer said on Wednesday.
“China has become more aggressive and more assertive, and our responsibility as an incoming government is to manage this complex relationship in a considered and sober way.”
He said the government’s focus should be on repairing the economic consequences of China’s sanctions on barley, beef, wine and other products.
“If we want to improve relations, it makes sense for us that the first part, the first step, is the elimination of some of those sanctions and tariffs that are hurting our economy and our businessmen and exporters. “, it continued.
“It would be a good place to start.”
Australia’s ties with China have worsened in recent months as Beijing has begun to focus more on the Pacific.
In response, Labor will launch a diplomatic bombing in the South Pacific to try to counter Chinese influence in the region following Beijing’s security pact with the Solomon Islands.
Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong traveled to Japan this week for the Quad Leaders Summit to discuss a number of issues related to the Indo-Pacific region, including climate change and influence. growing from China.
The couple will continue to promote stability in the region, and the newly sworn foreign minister is expected to travel to Fiji as soon as Thursday.
His trip to the famous holiday island coincides with the trip of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi across the Pacific.
Wang will arrive in the Solomon Islands on Thursday before leaving for Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.
Senator Wong’s trip to Fiji is expected to contain a keynote address.
“The visit, my first week as Foreign Minister, demonstrates the importance we attach to our relationship with Fiji and our commitment to the Pacific,” he said.
“Australia will listen to our Pacific partners as we work together to meet our shared challenges and achieve our shared goals, such as combating climate change, pandemic recovery, economic development and regional security.”