Australia warns of ‘long road’ ahead in stabilisation of relations with China
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she had a ‘constructive’ meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New York
- Wong added she raised trade blockages and urged Beijing to use its influence as a great power to help end the Ukraine war during the talks
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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described her New York sit-down with State Councillor Wang Yi as “constructive” but cautioned against talk of a quick normalisation of ties.
“I think it is a long road in which many steps will have to be taken by both parties to a more stable relationship,” she said.
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Wong said trade blockages were the first issue she raised “very clearly” during the talks – which were seen as preparing the way for a possible first leaders’ meeting since 2017.
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“China is a great power … We encourage China as a P5 member with a special responsibility to uphold the UN charter to use its influence to end the war,” Wong said.
She said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was illegal and President Vladimir Putin’s threat to use nuclear weapons was “unthinkable and irresponsible”.
Additional reporting by Reuters
