WASHINGTON (US) – During a high-level meeting between the US and Australia, Canberra foreign minister stressed that its ties with Beijing were important and it had no intention of straining it. The discussions were centred on China and the need to have global order based on rules.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper held two days of discussions with their Australian counterparts.
Pompeo hailed Australia for standing up to pressure from China and said both Washington and Canberra would cooperate to reassert the rule of law in the South China Sea, which is claimed by China.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Washington and Canberra shared a commitment to the rule of law and stressed both sides would hold countries accountable for violating the law.
She said Australia and the US would explore ways to expand cooperation on infectious diseases, including access to vaccines, adding that a working group would be formed to keep tabs on harmful disinformation.
“The relationship that we have with China is important. And we have no intention of injuring it,” she said. “But nor do we intend to do things that are contrary to our interests.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field