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CANBERRA: Australia’s relations with China, troubled by disputes involving mining and an ethnic Uighur activist, are challenging but worthwhile because of common interests, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Thursday.
“We share enormous common interests with our friends in China but we have continuous differences,” Rudd said. “They are differences of values and, from time to time, differences of interests.”
He said a calm, measured approach would help negotiate future bumps in the road.
The opposition Liberal party accuses Rudd, a Mandarin-speaking former diplomat to Beijing, of ruining Australia’s ties with China.
“It is time for the prime minister to act to restore the relationship that he has so seriously damaged with China,” deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop told reporters. “China is one of our most important trading partners and this deteriorating relationship will affect our national interest.”
China recently canceled a senior minister’s trip to Australia in anger over Canberra’s granting of a visa to an exiled Uighur Muslim activist, Rebiya Kadeer. Beijing’s displeasure over her trip came as Canberra voiced concern at China’s arrest of an executive of mining giant Rio Tinto Ltd. on charges of commercial espionage.
Rudd is expected to meet in coming days with Australia’s ambassador to China, who returned to Canberra this week on a regular visit, and is certain to discuss the recent rifts.
“China has significant interests in Australia” in terms of resources, while Australia is aware of China’s role in the Asia-Pacific region, Rudd told reporters.
“Therefore we approach this relationship mindful of our interests in China, mindful of China’s interests in Australia,” he said.
“This is obviously a good time to take stock of the relationship and how we move forward,” Rudd said.