Australian PM Anthony Albanese backs G7 on ‘de-risking’ trade with China
- Australia has ‘for some time’ expressed concern about China’s activity, Albanese says, pointing to the ‘chafing’ of an Australian aircraft in the South China Sea
- Albanese says it is important to work in a way that enhances the peace, security and stability in the region
The G7 rich nations, which increasingly see China as an economic security threat, on Saturday issued a communique from the city of Hiroshima that referred to de-risking, not decoupling economic engagement with the world’s second largest economy.
Addressing media in Hiroshima, Albanese, who attended a Quad leaders’ meeting on the sidelines of the summit on Saturday, said according to an official transcript: “I support the G7 communiques about the international relations that we have there.”
In May 2022, a Chinese fighter aircraft dangerously intercepted an Australian military plane in the South China Sea region, according to Australia’s defence department.
“We’ve expressed concern in the past, we’ll continue to do so,” Albanese said.
“What we need to do is to make sure we work in a way that enhances the peace, security and stability in the region.”
China, firmly opposing the G7 statement, has complained to summit organiser Japan, the Chinese foreign ministry has said.
Australia’s main political opposition, the Liberal-National coalition, on Sunday urged Albanese to wait for confirmation on the lifting of trade sanctions before visiting China.
“That clarity should be there before the prime minister entertains a formal state visit to Beijing,” Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham told ABC television.
