Australia’s foreign minister has met with the new Chinese ambassador in Sydney amid an ongoing Beijing-instigated diplomatic freeze and has called on the regime to help end the invasion of Ukraine. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) said Minister Marise Payne had “frank” discussions with Xiao Qian on March 9. “The Minister for Foreign Affairs set out frankly Australia’s positions on a range of issues, including the importance of appropriate ministerial and other high-level dialogue and engagement, stability in the Indo-Pacific, free and open trade, human rights and the welfare of Australians detained in China,” according to a readout of the meeting. “She also articulated Australia’s expectation that China use its influence to encourage and advise Russia to end the illegal invasion of Ukraine,” it continued. “Australia remains committed to a constructive relationship with China in which we can pursue areas of cooperation while remaining consistent with …