Foreign Correspondence

[fuagf]

Edit: China, Australia need each other: Smith
September 3, 2009 - 2:09PM

The "long-term beneficial nature" of Australia-China economic relations will prevail over
controversies like the Stern Hu and the Rebiya Kadeer issues, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says.
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Insert:
China criticised over Stern Hu case
http://business.theage.com.au/business/china-criticised-over-stern-hu-case-20090902-f8gq.html



Rebiya Kadeer is a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/rebiya-kadeer-photo-02
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Mr Smith also said in Perth on Thursday that it appeared reasonable to pursue
a plan for joint military exercises between the Australia, China and the United States.

Fairfax newspapers have quoted US officials as saying the move is aimed at improving
diplomatic relations between the nations and easing fears about China's military power.

On the treatment of the detained Stern Hu, Mr Smith said Chinese authorities were
continuing to abide by an agreement on consular access to the Rio Tinto iron ore executive.

Mr Hu, an Australian citizen who was detained in July and charged last month along with three Chinese
colleagues, faces a seven-year jail sentence on charges of bribery and obtaining commercial secrets.

Mr Smith said Australian consular officials were being permitted to
visit Mr Hu every 30 days, as had been agreed between the two governments.

"To date the two consular visits have been effected within the 30-day timetable,"
he told reporters in Perth after attending the Africa Down Under mining conference.

"We now continue to make representations to the Chinese authorities that his case should be dealt with expeditiously."

He said the Australian Chinese relationship would "always see
from time to time issues arise where there is a difference of view".

The latest of these was over the Australian visit of the exiled Uighur leader Rebiya
Kadeer, which led to the cancellation of a high-level diplomatic mission to Australia.

"We have a very good economic relationship with China and that will
continue as reflected by the Gorgon deal a couple of weeks ago," he said.

" ... the long-term beneficial nature of the relationship both to
Australia and China will in the end prevail over any of these difficulties.

"We need to take a long-term view of our relationship and we need to be patient.

"That's the sensible thing to do and that's what we're doing."

Mr Smith said he could see no reason why Australia and the United States should not
invite China to take part in joint military exercises under the plans reported on Wednesday.

Mr Smith said he would leave any comments on the moves to Defence Minister John Faulkner.

He said the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral
Michael Mullen, had already signalled defence's approval of the plan.

"Australia has defence cooperation and contact with a range of countries, and as Admiral Mike
Mullen has said overnight, there's no reason that can't be contemplated with China," Mr Smith said.

© 2009 AAP

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/china-australia-need-each-other-smith-20090903-f8mn.html