Australian Prime Minister: Relations with China will continue to be difficult

Observers around the world are closely watching the results Australian electionespecially when Canberra has a strained relationship with Beijing – the largest trading partner under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“It was China that changed, not Australia. Australia will always stand up for its values ​​and we will support them in a government led by me,” Albanese said at a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony, before departing for Tokyo to attend. Quad Summit.

US President Joe Biden appreciates Mr. Albanese’s early commitments to Quartet groupincluding the US, Japan, India and Australia in a phone call on the evening of May 22, according to Sputnik.

Four members of the cabinet of Prime Minister Albanese were also sworn in today, including: Ms. Penny Wong – Foreign Minister, Mr. Richard Marles – Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Jim Chalmers – Secretary of the Treasury and Ms. Katy Gallagher – Minister of Justice and Minister of Finance.

Foreign Minister Wong is accompanying the new Prime Minister to Tokyo, Japan to attend the Quad Summit. Ms. Wong said coordinating climate change action with Quad member countries would be one of the new government’s priorities.

Relations between China and Australia have become strained in recent years, leading to a trade war between the two sides. Both governments have imposed sanctions on each other’s imports.

Australia’s membership in the US-led Quartet has also sparked criticism from China, which accuses Washington of creating a NATO-like alliance in the Asia-Pacific region.

In September 2021, Australia announced its accession AUKUS – New agreement with US and UK. At that time, Canberra will be provided with the technology to develop advanced nuclear attack submarines.