Australian PM Rejects Diplomacy With Beijing, Concerned About China–Solomon Islands Security Pact

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Kirribilli House in Sydney on Feb. 24, 2022. AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi via Reuters

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected the possibility of meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian, a move he said would be a sign of “weakness.”

Speaking to reporters on March 26, Morrison described his decision as “an entirely proportional response” after Beijing “completely blocked any minister-to-minister dialogue.”