As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged smiles and back slaps this week, Foreign Minister Penny Wong capped off a charm offensive through the Asia-Pacific with selfies in the Malaysian city of her birth.
But it has also been eager to stamp its mark early on the international stage and clearly differentiate itself from the Morrison government – an exercise to which Macron was an eager facilitator as he warmly welcomed his new counterpart at the Élysée Palace. “There’s a clear effort to visit all the Pacific countries that have recently had a Chinese foreign minister visit them. Part of it is about demonstrating to the region that they’re listening and engaged, but it’s also about continuing with that priority of countering China.
Justin Bassi, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and ex-chief of staff to former foreign minister Marise Payne, said the meeting between Marles and Wei was positive and demonstrated the benefits of attending multilateral summits. But it should not be misread as a reset in Australia’s relationship with China.
Good, now the world knows we have a new hard working government in Australia. They will return and the hard work will continue, I can't wait for parliament to start, I hope they choose a good Speaker, one that is not biased.
It’s obscene
Albo has been in office for over 30days Half of it was for traveling on an ego trip Just skip Jakarta n Madrid We r not in Nato