Foreign Minister Marise Payne says Australia should not be a “bystander” in the face of China’s rising “economic growth” and “assertiveness” in the Indo-Pacific region.
During an address to the American Enterprise Institute, Minister Payne emphasised the importance of a unified alliance with the United States but said she was committed to continued dialogue with Beijing.
“We’ve clearly acknowledged the recent challenges we have experienced, China has placed conditions on dialogue and Australia, on the other hand, is always open to dialogue,” she said.
“This does not mean there are not constructive areas for engagement with China, there are.
“We stand firm by our decisions and continue to uphold our sovereign rights while remaining open to a way forward based on mutual respect.”
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