<p>Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong who will soon embark on a trip to China, on Tuesday said that she will push China to lift trade sanctions and seek consular access to two Australians detained by Beijing.</p>

<p>Cheng Lei an Australian journalist was detained by Chinese authorities in August 2020 over allegations of "supplying state secrets overseas". &nbsp;while Chinese-born Australian Yang Jun who was detained in January 2019 has been accused of espionage reports AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Penny Wong to meet China's foreign minister amid soaring tensions in Indo-Pacific</strong></p>

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<p>Urging their release Wong said that it would remove an obstacle that stands before good relations between her nation and China.</p>

<p>"I think that it would be beneficial not just for the individuals, which is I think important in its own right, but it would be beneficial to the relationship for those consular matters to be dealt with," she said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-australia-ink-landmark-security-pact-to-counter-chinas-military-build-up-in-indo-pacific-527555">Japan, Australia ink ‘landmark’ security pact to counter China’s military build-up in Indo-Pacific</a></strong></p>

<p>Wong is the first Australian Foreign minister to visit China in four years. The upcoming visit marks the first formal talks since 2018 between top diplomats of the two nations.</p>

<p>The last such visit was in 2019. Since then the once excellent relations between China and Australia have nosedived, with them sparring over an array of political and moral issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/calmly-and-directly-australia-engages-with-china-in-national-interest-534768">'Calmly and directly': Australia engages with China in 'national interest'</a></strong></p>

<p>As per AFP, these include Chinese influence operations overseas; widespread rights abuses in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet; and America's role in the Asia-Pacific region etc.</p>

<p>Before departing for her visit, Wong said "Many of the hard issues in the relationship will take time to resolve in our interests," adding that it "will take time, but I do see this visit as another step in the road."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong who will soon embark on a trip to China, on Tuesday said that she will push China to lift trade sanctions and seek consular access to two Australians detained by Beijing.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong who will soon embark on a trip to China, on Tuesday said that she will push China to lift trade sanctions and seek consular access to two Australians detained by Beijing. Cheng Lei an Australian journalist was detained by Chinese authorities in August 2020 over allegations of "supplying state secrets overseas". while Chinese-born Australian Yang Jun who was detained in January 2019 has been accused of espionage reports AFP. Watch | Penny Wong to meet China's foreign minister amid soaring tensions in Indo-Pacific Urging their release Wong said that it would remove an obstacle that stands before good relations between her nation and China. "I think that it would be beneficial not just for the individuals, which is I think important in its own right, but it would be beneficial to the relationship for those consular matters to be dealt with," she said. Also read | Japan, Australia ink ‘landmark’ security pact to counter China’s military build-up in Indo-Pacific Wong is the first Australian Foreign minister to visit China in four years. The upcoming visit marks the first formal talks since 2018 between top diplomats of the two nations. The last such visit was in 2019. Since then the once excellent relations between China and Australia have nosedived, with them sparring over an array of political and moral issues. Also read | 'Calmly and directly': Australia engages with China in 'national interest' As per AFP, these include Chinese influence operations overseas; widespread rights abuses in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet; and America's role in the Asia-Pacific region etc. Before departing for her visit, Wong said "Many of the hard issues in the relationship will take time to resolve in our interests," adding that it "will take time, but I do see this visit as another step in the road." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia urges Beijing to release its citizens as Foreign Minister Wong heads to China

<p>Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Sunday criticised <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-trump-tells-frances-first-lady-youre-in-such-good-shapebeautiful-17908" target="_blank">comments </a>by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on French first lady Brigitte Macron&#39;s appearance.</p>

<p>&quot;You&#39;re in such good shape,&quot; Trump was filmed on Thursday telling her during his first state visit to France.</p>

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<p>US President Donald Trump praised French first lady Brigitte Macron for being in &quot;such good shape&quot; on Thursday during his state visit to France (WION)</p>
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<p>&quot;I wonder if she could say the same of him?&quot; Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, when asked whether she would be flattered or offended if the comment were directed at her. &quot;I&#39;d be taken aback, I think. It&#39;s a rather interesting comment to make,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Bishop declined further comment on the Paris remark, but added an unprompted observation on Trump&#39;s use of social media, saying she wouldn&#39;t &quot;run a commentary on his Twitter account&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>A bad start</strong></p>

<p>The criticism follows an acrimonious January telephone call between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, when the American hung up after 25 minutes rather than the scheduled hour, according to the Washington Post.</p>

<p>In June, the relationship between the two countries hit the spotlight again, after the release of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-mocks-trump-over-russian-guy-at-off-the-record-media-party-16861" target="_blank">leaked tape</a> of Turnbull mocking Trump at an off-the-record media event.</p>

<p>But the two leaders &quot;get along great,&quot; Trump had declared in May, following his first-face-to-face meeting with Turnbull.</p>


Julie Bishop said she'd be taken aback by Trump's comments if they were directed at her. She declined to remark on his Twitter account

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Sunday criticised comments by US President Donald Trump on French first lady Brigitte Macron's appearance. "You're in such good shape," Trump was filmed on Thursday telling her during his first state visit to France. US President Donald Trump praised French first lady Brigitte Macron for being in "such good shape" on Thursday during his state visit to France (WION) × "I wonder if she could say the same of him?" Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, when asked whether she would be flattered or offended if the comment were directed at her. "I'd be taken aback, I think. It's a rather interesting comment to make," she said. Bishop declined further comment on the Paris remark, but added an unprompted observation on Trump's use of social media, saying she wouldn't "run a commentary on his Twitter account". A bad start The criticism follows an acrimonious January telephone call between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, when the American hung up after 25 minutes rather than the scheduled hour, according to the Washington Post. In June, the relationship between the two countries hit the spotlight again, after the release of a leaked tape of Turnbull mocking Trump at an off-the-record media event. But the two leaders "get along great," Trump had declared in May, following his first-face-to-face meeting with Turnbull.

Australian foreign minister criticises Trump's remark to French first lady

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Australia urges Beijing to release its citizens as Foreign Minister Wong heads to China

Australian foreign minister criticises Trump's remark to French first lady