On Tuesday, the United States and Australia held talks over China and came to a general agreement that global order should be maintained, but Australian Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, stressed that she had no intention of damaging important ties with China.
The meeting was held for two days in Washington, during which US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Australia for withstanding pressure from China, and said Washington and Canberra will continue to work together to establish a law in the South China Sea, over which China is making claims.
Maris Payne, on the other hand, said that the US and Australia are calling for common rules and obligations, and reiterated her call on countries to account for violations.
She said that Australia does not agree on everything with either Beijing or the United States, and she has no intention of breaking ties on any of them.
"Our relationship with China is very important. And we're not going to hurt them," Payne said.
"But we also do not intend to do what is contrary to our interests," she added.
Payne claims that Australia and the United States have a common interest in the Asia-Pacific region, including China.
"Even though we don't agree on everything, we know how to respect each other, and this is part of our relationship, which has survived over 100 years of partnership. "
She did not elaborate on the differences with Washington, but said Australia made its own decisions and judgments based on its national interests and security.
"We deal with China as well as with America. We have a strong economic relationship and it works in the interests of both countries," Payne said.
In parallel, Pompeo, a persistent and determined critic of Beijing, said in his speech that Washington and its allies should use "more creative and persistent ways" to force China to change its paths, calling it "the mission of our time."
