Australia confronts China on human rights

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confronted senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi over the recent security crackdown in Hong Kong, stating on Friday that it is necessary to speak candidly "in defense of human rights."

Wong also hinted that the anticipated trip by the Australian Prime Minister to Beijing could be postponed until trade disputes between the two countries are resolved.

Wong spoke with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi for about an hour last night on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit attended by foreign ministers in Jakarta.

She stated that she expressed her "deep concerns" to Wang Yi regarding the actions of the Hong Kong government, which recently offered rewards for any information leading to the arrest of eight prominent democracy activists residing abroad, including two Australians.

Wong further mentioned that she also inquired about the cases of journalist Cheng Lei and writer Yang Hengjun, who are both Australian citizens imprisoned in China under mysterious circumstances.

Relations between Australia and China, its largest trading partner, have deteriorated in recent years after several years of tension.

China lifted bans on the import of some products such as coal and timber, but hefty tariffs on barley from Australia remain in place.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been invited to visit China this year, which would mark the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister to China since 2016.

In response to a question about the timing of the visit, Wong stated that Australia is waiting for "more positive circumstances," alluding to the dispute over barley trade, as widely understood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFP