The Foreign Minister was questioned whether she was concerned Beijing could 'sweep in' on a Pacific Island nation which has withdrawn from the highly-anticipated forum this week.
Kiribati - a small island country north-east of Fiji with a population of 120,000 people - pulled out of the forum with"immediate effect" one day before the leaders were due to discuss how to tackle rising sea levels, climate change and security in the region.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has weighed into suggestions China could take advantage of the withdrawal of Kiribati from the Pacific Islands Forum. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Andrew Taylor The Foreign Minister was then asked about comments from Mr Bainimarama who declared the Pacific nations will either"forge together or go separate paths".
She added Australia and the Pacific Islands Forum had to"keep the door open" in hopes of working towards reconciliation. "To be honest, and they may obviously argue for more ambition, to date in my bilaterals and my private discussions and in the discussion they have had, there is actually a sense of relief," she said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Treat us as a partner, not a threat, China's Foreign Minister tells Penny WongChina's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong the Albanese government must form a 'correct understanding' of China as a partner, not a threat, according to a Chinese government summary of their first meeting in Bali.
Read more »
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs reveals Australia's China demandsAssistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts said Australia would need China to drop the trade sanctions currently imposed and release journalist Cheng Lei from jail for Canberra to rebuild its strained relationship with Beijing.
Read more »
China-Australia relations: Deputy PM heads to US to talk AUKUS, ChinaAnthony Albanese to attend Pacific Islands Forum; countries urged to turn to each other, over China, for support; federal flood relief payments top $340m. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Wong, Chalmers to fill PM’s hot seat as Albanese builds Pacific bondsOverseas travel by senior ministers means Treasurer Jim Chalmers will be acting PM for a brief stint on Wednesday, and then Penny Wong gets a turn.
Read more »
China slams Coalition as the ‘root cause’ of bad bloodChina’s foreign minister, during his meeting with Penny Wong, has blamed the former Coalition government as the main reason for the disintegration of relations with Australia.
Read more »
China blames Coalition government for ‘difficulties’ with Australia, proposes four point planBeijing has laid the blame for three years of spiralling relations with Australia on the former Coalition government, clearing the way for a more stable dialogue with Labor.
Read more »