Plibersek: Julie Bishop jeopardising Australia’s relations with China
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Version 0 of 1. The opposition spokeswoman for foreign affairs, Tanya Plibersek, has accused Julie Bishop of jeopardising Australia’s relationship with China and playing a “zero sum” game with Australia’s regional relationships. On Thursday, the foreign affairs minister signaled a willingness to directly confront China, in an interview with Fairfax Media, and said that while the best outcome would be deeper engagement with China, the government was “clear-eyed about what could go wrong”. Plibersek said Australia’s interests were best served by developing a close relationship with both China and Japan. “I think the comments today reflect loose language that is quite counterproductive. It’s important to understand that there’s a big difference between being a foreign policy commentator and the foreign minister of Australia,” she said. “Our best interests are reflected in close relationships with both of our friends, China and Japan, and also by efforts on our part to ensure that China and Japan better understand one another.” The comments came in the wake of the visit by the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, to Australia and his address to a joint sitting of parliament. As part of the venture, Australia and Japan agreed to a new defence relationship that would see military developments shared between the two nations, in a move that may be viewed unfavourably by China. Bishop also said “China doesn’t respect weakness” and signaled a new willingness to confront China in defence of Australia’s interests. Plibersek said: “Australia’s foreign policy has to put Australian interests first. Australian interests are best served by having a good relationship with China and a good relationship with Japan, not by putting one friend above another.” |