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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese directly challenged Chinese Premier Li Qiang Monday over a recent incident in which Chinese forces fired flares at an Australian military aircraft, testing the bounds of what Canberra describes as a stabilizing but complex bilateral relationship.
The confrontation occurred during Albanese’s seventh meeting with Premier Li on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, where the Australian leader said he raised the flare incident “very directly” despite characterizing China as a friend with whom Australia can discuss disagreements frankly.
“We have disagreements and friends are able to discuss issues frankly,” Albanese told reporters following the bilateral meeting. “I did that, I did that directly, that’s what we’re able to do.”
The flare incident, which Australian defense officials characterized as “dangerous and unprofessional,” involved Chinese military forces discharging flares in the path of an Australian Royal Australian Air Force aircraft operating in international airspace. The confrontation represents one of several recent close encounters between Chinese and Australian military forces in the Indo-Pacific region, raising concerns about the potential for miscalculation.
When pressed by journalists about whether such incidents undermine trust between the two nations, Albanese defended his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping while maintaining that nation-to-nation issues must be addressed directly.
“What I’ve said very clearly, very clearly and explicitly, is that anything that President Xi has said to me has occurred,” Albanese said. “And that is just a fact. That’s how you deal with these things.”
The Australian leader declined to characterize Premier Li’s response to his concerns, telling reporters: “I’m not here to report in on what people say when I have meetings. I’m accountable for what I say. And I made the position directly clear that this was an incident of concern for Australia.”
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Albanese emphasized his straightforward approach to international diplomacy: “I’m a straight guy. I talk to leaders the way that I talk to the Australian people—straight, clear, unambiguously, but also in a positive way.”
The meeting comes as Australia navigates an increasingly complex relationship with its largest trading partner. China accounts for approximately 30 percent of Australian export destinations, and Albanese noted that one in four Australian jobs depends on trade. The economic relationship has improved significantly since diplomatic tensions during previous years led to Chinese restrictions on Australian exports including wine, barley, and coal.
“This is a relationship that has improved, that is stabilizing,” Albanese told reporters. “It’s a relationship that’s important for Australian jobs. It’s as simple as that.”
The Prime Minister reiterated his oft-stated framework for managing the China relationship: “We must cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, but engage in our national interests. And that’s the spirit in which we entered the discussion today.”
During the press conference, Albanese also addressed broader regional security dynamics, including the scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. “We welcome the fact that the leaders of the two largest economies in the world are having that direct engagement,” he said.
The Australian leader was briefed on two U.S. military aircraft incidents in the South China Sea, noting that crews from both a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft were reported safe. “There hasn’t been a loss of life, and that is a very positive thing that has occurred,” Albanese said, adding that the United States would conduct investigations and make official statements about the incidents.
The flare incident discussion forms part of a broader pattern of military encounters in the contested South China Sea region, where China has expanded its territorial claims and military presence despite international court rulings against its position. Australia conducts regular freedom of navigation operations in the region alongside allies including the United States, often prompting Chinese military responses.
Albanese’s direct confrontation with Premier Li demonstrates Canberra’s balancing act between maintaining crucial economic ties with Beijing while standing firm on security interests and international law. Australia remains a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific through the ANZUS treaty and participates in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) alongside the United States, Japan, and India.
The Australian leader’s visit to Malaysia includes multiple diplomatic engagements beyond the China meeting. Albanese held his first meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and conducted informal discussions with leaders from Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Laos. He also announced plans to welcome Timor-Leste’s accession to full ASEAN membership.
When asked about regional defense cooperation, Albanese discussed Australia’s critical minerals agreement with the United States, noting it represents “a very positive one for investment as we go forward.” He characterized the agreement as “a really good outcome” and emphasized that critical minerals and rare earths “are what will power the global economy in the 21st century.”
The Prime Minister also addressed questions about the future of the Quad, expressing hope for a meeting in the first quarter of next year hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi’s absence from the ASEAN Summit, combined with the busy schedules of other Quad leaders, has raised questions about the grouping’s future under a second Trump administration.
“The Quad is an important forum and an important vehicle for us to engage Australia, the United States, Japan and India,” Albanese said, noting that “this is a busy summit season” and emphasizing the importance of direct engagement between major powers.
Albanese’s diplomatic schedule in Malaysia was compressed by one day to accommodate an earlier arrival in South Korea, where he plans to attend a dinner Wednesday night. The Prime Minister moved his bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim from Wednesday morning to Tuesday afternoon to facilitate the schedule change.
“Programs at events like this change,” Albanese told reporters. “That’s what happens.”
The Australian leader emphasized the intensity of his recent diplomatic schedule, which included a visit to Uluru in Central Australia before traveling to Malaysia and will continue to South Korea. When questioned about the compressed timeline, he told accompanying journalists: “Just try and keep up with me.”
The China meeting represents a critical test of Australia’s diplomatic approach under the Albanese government, which has sought to stabilize relations with Beijing while maintaining firm positions on security issues and international law. The Prime Minister’s willingness to directly confront Premier Li over the flare incident signals that economic considerations, while important, will not prevent Australia from raising security concerns at the highest levels.
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