SYDNEY: Australia is aiming for a stable relationship with China despite differences, especially on trade, Australia’s foreign minister said, as she called on Beijing to use its influence as a great power to help end the war in Ukraine.

Australia’s ties with its largest trading partner are at a low after disputes over a number of issues, including the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, trade and Australian accusations of Chinese interference.

“It is a long road to be taken by both parties to a more stable relationship,” Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said after meeting Wang Yi, on Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“In terms of issues of difference, first amongst them is the issue of trade blocks, and that is the issue I focussed on at the outset,” she said.

In the meeting, the Chinese minister emphasised the importance of stable bilateral ties, which he said ought to be more resilient and not be prone to “accidents” given 50 years of diplomatic relations, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry yesterday.

China is willing to “properly resolve differences and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations”, Wang said.

Wong, who said the meeting was constructive, also urged China, as one of the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council (P5), to use its influence to help end the Ukraine crisis.

 - Reuters