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Why Australian PM got 40 minutes with President Biden
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with U.S. President Joe Biden in Phnom Penh for the East Asia and ASEAN summits
During the 40 minute conversation, the two leaders discussed the critical AUKUS alliance between the UK, U.S., and Australia.
Coincidentally, the 40 minute conversation comes just hours before Biden is set to meet with China’s Xi Jinping.
Finding stability in the Indo-Pacific was front and centre during the discussion as both leaders face shared challenges.
The leaders also spoke about climate change and tackling environmental issues.
“Australia’s standing in the region has risen and that is a benefit for those who have respect for Australia’s position…
The United States is one of those.”
Anthony Albanese told reporters
The Australian leader also met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, but a question mark looms over whether he will met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I had a brief conversation with Premier Li, it was very positive, it was constructive.
I’ve said repeatedly about the relationship with China that we should co-operate where we we can and that dialogue is always a good thing.”
Anthony albanese told reporters
China and Australia’s relationship has been on the rocks recently, amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Relations between the two began to dwindle amid the Covid-19 pandemic, when Australia backed the idea for an independent inquiry into the origins of the virus.
China is one of Australia’s largest trading partners and began to use this against the country down under.
China began to make changes to its trade policies, which was ultimately seen as an attempt to economically punish Australia.
However, new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is open to dialogue and cooperation.
“I think there is a great deal of goodwill here, certainly from Australia.
I have no reason to think there’s not goodwill on the Chinese side as well.”
Anthony albanese told reporters