By Philip Wen
'We stand by our view': Julie Bishop in Beijing.
Beijing -- Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has held firm in the face of an unconventionally strong protest from Beijing over the federal government’s position on China’s newly-declared air defence zone in the East China Sea, insisting Australia ‘‘should never be afraid to stand by our values and our views’’.
In another flashpoint in the simmering diplomatic spat between the two countries, the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi sidestepped convention by launching into a stern rebuke of Ms Bishop in front of international and Chinese media before a formal closed-door meeting on Friday.
‘‘I have to point out that what Australia has said and done with regard to China’s establishment of the air defence identification zone in the East China Sea has jeopardised bilateral mutual trust and affected the sound growth of bilateral relations,’’ Mr Wang said, in introductory comments usually reserved for polite exchanges of pleasantries.
Beijing -- Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has held firm in the face of an unconventionally strong protest from Beijing over the federal government’s position on China’s newly-declared air defence zone in the East China Sea, insisting Australia ‘‘should never be afraid to stand by our values and our views’’.
In another flashpoint in the simmering diplomatic spat between the two countries, the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi sidestepped convention by launching into a stern rebuke of Ms Bishop in front of international and Chinese media before a formal closed-door meeting on Friday.
‘‘I have to point out that what Australia has said and done with regard to China’s establishment of the air defence identification zone in the East China Sea has jeopardised bilateral mutual trust and affected the sound growth of bilateral relations,’’ Mr Wang said, in introductory comments usually reserved for polite exchanges of pleasantries.
‘‘This is not what we desire to see.’’
While appearing surprised by the unusually direct and public nature of Mr Wang’s comments, Ms Bishop responded firmly.
‘‘I must take issue with you on the matter of the East China Sea. We stand by our view,’’ she said, before reporters were ushered out of the room.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Ms Bishop rejected suggestions that foreign policy was not a strong suit of the Abbott government, with relations with Jakarta also strained over a spying scandal.
She said the government held a ‘‘credible’’ position with respect to China’s air defence zone which was motivated by the importance with which it viewed peace and stability in the region.
‘‘Australia has its own national interest, its view, its position, and we should never be afraid to stand by our values and our views,’’ Ms Bishop said.
She denied the disagreement over the East China Sea had overshadowed the first annual foreign and strategic dialogue between the two countries, pointing out a wide range of issues were canvassed in a ‘‘robust’’ discussion that lasted nearly four hours, deep into Friday night.
Beyond the East China Sea, tensions in North Korea and Syria, the economic and investment relationship between Australia and China, as well as the New Colombo plan which will help boost the numbers of Australian undergraduate students studying in China, were all discussed, she said.
Ms Bishop said she also raised ‘‘specific instances’’ of human rights concerns and Australian consular matters, without providing details.
While appearing surprised by the unusually direct and public nature of Mr Wang’s comments, Ms Bishop responded firmly.
‘‘I must take issue with you on the matter of the East China Sea. We stand by our view,’’ she said, before reporters were ushered out of the room.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Ms Bishop rejected suggestions that foreign policy was not a strong suit of the Abbott government, with relations with Jakarta also strained over a spying scandal.
She said the government held a ‘‘credible’’ position with respect to China’s air defence zone which was motivated by the importance with which it viewed peace and stability in the region.
‘‘Australia has its own national interest, its view, its position, and we should never be afraid to stand by our values and our views,’’ Ms Bishop said.
She denied the disagreement over the East China Sea had overshadowed the first annual foreign and strategic dialogue between the two countries, pointing out a wide range of issues were canvassed in a ‘‘robust’’ discussion that lasted nearly four hours, deep into Friday night.
Beyond the East China Sea, tensions in North Korea and Syria, the economic and investment relationship between Australia and China, as well as the New Colombo plan which will help boost the numbers of Australian undergraduate students studying in China, were all discussed, she said.
Ms Bishop said she also raised ‘‘specific instances’’ of human rights concerns and Australian consular matters, without providing details.
Among the publicly-known Australians to be jailed in China include former Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu and entrepreneurs Matthew Ng and Charlotte Chou, who is awaiting the result of an appeal.
She said Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao expressed a desire to conclude a free trade agreement ‘‘in the very near future’’, in a separate meeting earlier on Friday.
The foreign and strategic dialogue is part of the newly-expanded bilateral strategic architecture set up by the former Gillard government in April.
China’s move to establish the air defence zone in the East China Sea last month is seen as a strategic move to bolster its claim over a group of Japanese islands – known as Senkaku.
China has threatened to use military force to enforce the zone, contributing to heightened tensions in the region, with the United States, Japan and Korea ignoring China’s demands and continuing to fly military aircraft through the zone without notification.
An escalating series of diplomatic gestures between Canberra and Beijing have strained relations since last week after Australia took the rare step of calling in China’s ambassador to demand an explanation.
She said Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao expressed a desire to conclude a free trade agreement ‘‘in the very near future’’, in a separate meeting earlier on Friday.
The foreign and strategic dialogue is part of the newly-expanded bilateral strategic architecture set up by the former Gillard government in April.
China’s move to establish the air defence zone in the East China Sea last month is seen as a strategic move to bolster its claim over a group of Japanese islands – known as Senkaku.
China has threatened to use military force to enforce the zone, contributing to heightened tensions in the region, with the United States, Japan and Korea ignoring China’s demands and continuing to fly military aircraft through the zone without notification.
An escalating series of diplomatic gestures between Canberra and Beijing have strained relations since last week after Australia took the rare step of calling in China’s ambassador to demand an explanation.
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