Australian and French leaders have agreed to work towards restoring bilateral relations, agreeing to support Pacific priorities, including climate change while strengthening military cooperation. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles met their French counterparts Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna and Armed Forces of France Minister Sebastien Lecornu in Paris on Jan….
‘New Era’: Australia, France Pledge Deeper Pacific, Military Engagement
‘Deeply Troubled’: Government Concerned About Delays in Australian Writer’s Espionage Trial
The Australian government says it is “deeply troubled” by the ongoing delays in the trial of Chinese-born Australian writer and academic Yang Hengjun in China. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in a statement on Jan. 19, said that the government’s thoughts were with Yang and his family as they mark the fourth anniversary of his…
Chinese Ambassador Attempts to Break Strategic Alliance Between Australia and Japan
Beijing’s top envoy to Australia has attempted to drive a wedge into Australia’s growing ties with Japan by criticising his Japanese counterpart in Canberra and warning Australians against trusting their former World War Two enemy lest Japan launch another military attack on the country in the future. Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian made the comments during a…
US ‘Throwing Allies Under a Bus’: Australia’s New Ambassador Kevin Rudd
Australia’s incoming ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd urged the nation to stop throwing its allies “under a bus” if it wants to counter China’s economic influence in the Asia-Pacific. Rudd, a former Labor prime minister of Australia who will take up his diplomatic posting in March, said the United States had “one arm…
Australian Foreign Minister Raises ‘Principled View’ on Human Rights With Beijing, More Trade Talks to Come
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…
‘Ice Thaws’: Australia’s Foreign Minister in China for Talks
Penny Wong has met with Australia’s ambassador to China as she prepares to try to break a four-year diplomatic freeze during a visit to Beijing. The foreign minister met Graham Fletcher at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse ahead of a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. “The ice thaws but slowly,” Senator Wong said as the…
2nd Australian-Based Pilot Investigated for Helping Train Chinese Fighter Pilots
A second former Australian-based pilot is being investigated for allegedly training Chinese fighter pilots. Keith Hartley, living in South Australia, is being investigated by authorities for his role as chief operating officer at the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA), a flying academy that British authorities have warned is an intermediary for Beijing to recruit retired…
Former Australian PM Kevin Rudd Tapped as Next Ambassador to US
Former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been chosen as Australia’s next ambassador to the United States to replace the previous government’s appointee Arthur Sinodinos. In a statement on Dec. 20, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the appointment, saying that Rudd brought “unmatched experience to the role.” Both ministers…
Wong to Visit China for Diplomatic Talks
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia-China diplomatic relations. Senator Wong has been invited by the Chinese government to meet with her counterpart Wang Yi and hold the sixth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue which was last held in 2018. It signals a step forward in diplomatic…
Beijing Needs to Engage With Australia ‘Wisely’: Foreign Minister Penny Wong
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has again signalled to Beijing that good bilateral relations are dependent on billions in punitive trade sanctions on Australian products being removed. The sanctions, implemented in 2020 as part of a targeted campaign of economic coercion against Australia, have been a sticking point for officials looking to stabilise ties. Beijing has…
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