‘Best way’ to deal with differences with China is ‘to sit down and talk’: Tehan

Trade Minister Dan Tehan says he hopes Australia’s economic relationship with China will continue amid an indefinite pause on economic accords as there remains “significant” trade taking place between the two nations. Beijing declared – via a statement on a Chinese government website – they had indefinitely suspended high-level economic dialogue with Australia, citing the attitude of the Australian government towards cooperation between the countries. “This is obviously a disappointing decision but one where we will continue to say to China ‘the best way that we can deal with our differences in the current circumstance is to be able to sit down and talk,’” Mr Tehan told Sky News. “We’ll continue to work with China at the officials level, there is still significant trade which is still taking place between our two countries. “That benefits China, that benefits Australia, we want to make sure that the commercial relationship is a strong one. “It’s lifted millions out of poverty in China, it’s helped us maintain our standard of living.” In relation to an ongoing investigation into the Port of Darwin 99-year lease to Chinese company Landbridge, the trade minister said the government would consider the advice handed down and make a decision “which is in our national interest”. “That’s the way that we’ve done things and that’s the way we’ll continue to do things. “Everything the government has done has been done according to our national interest, according to our sovereignty in a very country agnostic way.”

Trade Minister Dan Tehan says he hopes Australia’s economic relationship with China will continue amid an indefinite pause on economic accords as there remains “significant” trade taking place between the two nations.

Beijing declared – via a statement on a Chinese government website – they had indefinitely suspended high-level economic dialogue with Australia, citing the attitude of the Australian government towards cooperation between the countries.

“This is obviously a disappointing decision but one where we will continue to say to China ‘the best way that we can deal with our differences in the current circumstance is to be able to sit down and talk,’” Mr Tehan told Sky News.

“We’ll continue to work with China at the officials level, there is still significant trade which is still taking place between our two countries.

“That benefits China, that benefits Australia, we want to make sure that the commercial relationship is a strong one.

“It’s lifted millions out of poverty in China, it’s helped us maintain our standard of living.”

In relation to an ongoing investigation into the Port of Darwin 99-year lease to Chinese company Landbridge, the trade minister said the government would consider the advice handed down and make a decision “which is in our national interest”.

“That’s the way that we’ve done things and that’s the way we’ll continue to do things.

“Everything the government has done has been done according to our national interest, according to our sovereignty in a very country agnostic way.”

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