Foreign Minister Penny Wong has set out Australia’s position on human rights, trade blockages, and global security during high-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Dec. 21.
As the first official visit to Beijing from an Australian minister in three years with Wong’s trip signalling a potential thaw in Australia-China diplomatic relationships.
The senator brought up concerns about the arbitrary detainment of two Australian citizens, journalist Cheng Lei and writer Yang Hengjun.
“We advocate for a range of things in those discussions,” she told reporters. “They include for those Australians to be reunited with their families as soon as possible, but we also advocate for the observance of our consular agreements and for those Australians to have consular access.”…