Australia has been ‘very consistent’ in articulating position on China: Marise Payne

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the Australian government has been “very careful, and very consistent” in articulating its position on China. Ms Payne spoke with Sky News in the wake of talks between world leaders at the G7 in the United Kingdom. She said recent meetings and groupings of liberal democracies have sent a “powerful message” to the international community and reiterated the values of the democratic process. “I think it is a very powerful message to the international community and to those who would seek to use actions or tactics – and there’s plenty more than one country involved in this – that the world will actually stand, and stand on our values,” she said. Discussing China in particular, the foreign minister said it is a challenge which Australia has been “very careful, and very consistent” in articulating its position on. “We encourage and want a constructive relationship,” she said. “But ultimately we will always stand up for Australia’s national interests first.”

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the Australian government has been “very careful, and very consistent” in articulating its position on China.

Ms Payne spoke with Sky News in the wake of talks between world leaders at the G7 in the United Kingdom.

She said recent meetings and groupings of liberal democracies have sent a “powerful message” to the international community and reiterated the values of the democratic process.

“I think it is a very powerful message to the international community and to those who would seek to use actions or tactics – and there’s plenty more than one country involved in this – that the world will actually stand, and stand on our values,” she said.

Discussing China in particular, the foreign minister said it is a challenge which Australia has been “very careful, and very consistent” in articulating its position on.

“We encourage and want a constructive relationship,” she said.

“But ultimately we will always stand up for Australia’s national interests first.”

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