Richard Marles meets with Chinese defence minister

Defence Minister Richard Marles has held a breakthrough meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Singapore.

Mr Marles met with General Wei Fenghe for more than hour on the sideline of the Shangri-La Defence Dialogue, marking the first time in three years the defence ministers of the two countries have met.

Lowy Institute Senior Fellow Richard McGregor says the meeting was “very interesting” as both Australia and China were willing to have a conversation.

He said before Mr Marles went to Singapore he said there was no meeting arranged so the occurrence of one shows both countries “decided it was about time to end the stand-off”.

“It’s important to remember though there’s no change in all the fundamental problems in the relationship, all that’s happening now is we’re talking about them,” he told Sky News Australia.

“In the case of the military that’s a good thing because it means we might be able to avoid the kind of incidents we had in the South China Sea a few months ago.”

[redcapitalist]

marles enjoyed paying homage to his masters

[DOWNUNDER.]

Consider anything that Marles says as the words of a Chinese agent

[lukeh]

The Manchurian candidate isn't wasting a minute selling out Australian sovereignty.

[vivrowe]

Australia crawling around China! Thanks for nothing!

[brandonnb]

This bloke is just as bad as a traitor to our country

[actsismmljcorrectlyobeyed]

True Patriots from Texas SAY to our Cousins in the GREAT DOWN UNDER *STAND AND FIGHT* !!!

[ricky]

Capital punishment needed for traitors

[trevorarthurson]

Negotiating the terms of the ALP’s surrender.

[jackrussell]

It's good we are talking, as opposed to pointing lasers at each other

[thomasdowe]

Huxley's "Ape and Essence" becomes reality and those that are aware understand his denouement:
“The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace,
The prurient ape's defiling touch:
And do you like the human race?
No, not much.”

― Aldous Huxley, Ape and Essence

[Lbts]

Here are just one of the many comments from around the world on this issues, kowtowing to China has only further tarnished Australia's reputation, a reputation that has already been destroyed after Morrison and the less then humane treatment of Australian citizens that did not comply.
"catgirldreamer II LancasterL • 15 hours ago
They already have New Zealand, and one of the states of Australia, their socialist governor is all but a CCP member already.

More a matter of when the CCP will move to occupy both places, then if."
"
Captain Morgan • 16 hours ago

A correction to this article. Australia’s new government is not center left; they are far left. The previous government was supposed to be center right, but were actually center left. Both major parties are leftists."
"liberum_oratio • 16 hours ago
Looks like Australia is waving the white flag of surrender."
The Morrison government was dumb and the Albanese government is dumber.

[perpetualgrin]

No one mentions the ' inflammatory language ' from the previous government.

[bobhawke]

A meeting Dutton couldn't even attend when he was in that position.

[troy]

Not independence but as a eye and mouth to the global UN council! A a free nation!?!?!?!?not bound by a gangster!.

[TheKkpop]

Spending many hundred billion on nuke submarine which will won't be ready for 20 years.?
Or rejuvenate trade talks which worth many trillion in the next 20 years.??

[keithmorgan]

Poor little SNA devotees are struggling with Relevance Deprivation Syndrome.

[spikeprotein]

Richard represents ordinary peace-loving Australians, not Sky’s sycophantic racist idiots. Yeah, you lot.

[crenattahm]

Relationships diplomatic with China needs to stay strategically and maintain in a healthy diplomatic talks for the best and benefits both of Australia and China. Priority in economy strengthen first. Power needs to come with a wise leadership and kindness. 💙