SINGAPORE – Australia will continue to defend its national interests, but would like to improve strained relations with China, Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday.
“The China-Australia trade relationship is … very important,” Frydenberg told CNBC’s Will Koulouris. “It’s mutually beneficial. Our resources have helped strengthen China’s economic growth and we appreciate it.”
“At the same time, China has been a very important market for Australia and our exports to China have helped increase revenue here in Australia; it has been an important source of revenue and job creation,” he said. Frydenberg on CNBC, as part of the Davos Agenda network coverage.
The relationship between the two major trading partners deteriorated last year when Australia backed a call for an international investigation into the handling of China’s Covid-19, which was first reported in the Chinese city. of Wuhan.
… historically, we have had a very good partnership with China and we would like it to continue
Josh Frydenberg
Australian Treasurer
The national flags of Australia and China are displayed in front of a portrait of Mao Zedong in front of Tiananmen Square.
Frederic J. Brown | AFP via Getty Images
For his part, Frydenberg said Australia has a clear sense of its own national interests in security, foreign investment and human rights.
“We will continue to defend and demonstrate Australia’s national interest, but this should not prevent, once again, strong relations in the region, and historically we have had a very good partnership with China and we would like it to continue,” he said. add.
US and its “indispensable” role
Frydenberg said his government hopes to work with the new US president, Joe Biden, and explained that the strength of the Australia-US alliance does not depend on which leader has power in either country.
“The relationship has been strong and lasting, based on mutual respect, based on shared values and certainly on shared interests,” he said, adding that the United States has an “indispensable role in our part of the world. , in Asia “. Pacific “.
We are looking forward to a very constructive relationship between the US and Australia and it is very important, not only for Australia but also for the United States.
Josh Frydenberg
Australian Treasurer
Under former President Donald Trump, the U.S. seemed to be withdrawing from a position of influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Trump withdrew the United States from the trans-Pacific partnership agreement and Washington did not participate in the massive comprehensive regional economic partnership, signed by China and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries, which would account for about 30% of the world’s population and the world economy. .
“We are looking forward to a very constructive relationship between the United States and Australia and it is very important, not only for Australia, but also for the United States,” Frydenberg said.