Australia has 'no intention' to hurt China ties
Australia's top diplomat told the U.S. it won't 'injure' its relationship with China on Tuesday (July 28).
At high level talks, the two countries agreed on the need to hold Bejing accountable for pressing its claims in the South China Sea and for the gradual erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong.
However, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said her government doesn't agree on everything when it comes to China.
"As my prime minister put it recently, the relationship that we have with China is important and we have no intention of injuring it, but nor do we intend to do things that are contrary to our interests. And that is the premise from which we begin."
U.S.-China ties are at their lowest in years and last week the two ordered consulates from the other closed in Houston, Texas and the Chinese city of Chengdu.
While Washington is Australia's main security ally, China is its biggest trading partner.
It's taken recent steps that have angered Beijing calling for an international inquiry into the global health crisis that emerged in China and suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
China has slapped tariffs on some Australian food - and warned students and tourists against travelling there, citing accusations of racism.
