Anthony Albanese will raise Beijing’s trade sanctions on Australian exports when he holds talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Laos.

The prime minister will travel to the capital Vientiane on Wednesday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders’ meeting this week, in addition to the East Asia Summit following the ASEAN meeting.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, economic development and Myanmar’s ongoing civil war will be raised.

Speaking in parliament ahead of his trip, Mr Albanese confirmed a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

These include discussions with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau and a first-time meeting with Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, who is interested in developing hydrogen.

Mr Albanese said talks with Premier Li built on the “patient and calibrated work” Labor had done to stabilise Australia’s relationship with China.

“National security in our region is obviously critical. We remain concerned about the events in South China Sea,” he told parliament.

“I look forward to a successful summit being hosted over the next two days.”

Myanmar has been ravaged by conflict since the military seized control from Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in 2021.

An estimated three million people have been displaced by the unrest, resulting in calls for the 10-member ASEAN to play a key role in ending the civil war.

Australian National University senior lecturer Gregory Raymond said it was a good opportunity for the prime minister to meet with some of the new ASEAN leaders.

“Australia values ASEAN because it’s proven to be effective in maintaining peaceful relations in our part of the world for a long period of time,” said Dr Raymond, from the university’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre.

He said the crisis in Myanmar and issues relating to territorial disputes in the South China Sea would likely be discussed.

Dr Raymond said the Israel-Hamas war could lead to some disagreement between the Muslim and non-Muslim nations.

He said a meeting with Premier Li would give Australia the opportunity to raise remaining trade sanctions imposed by Beijing, in addition to the case of jailed Australian writer Yang Hengjun.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said trade and Australia’s strategic relationships all formed important parts of the discussions.

“We wish the prime minister safe travels to a very important gathering of countries and leaders with whom we share a common interest and a desire to see the best for our region,” he said.

Tess Ikonomou
(Australian Associated Press)