China has indicated plans to pull the pin on Australia s biggest earning export and diversify its iron ore supplies as tensions with Australia continue to simmer.
"China and Egypt have always supported each other over the past 65 years, and as COVID-19 is sweeping the world, the two countries are ushering in a chapter of friendship in the new era".
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says there s little Australia can do to exit the Chinese freezer of punitive trade measures, and should instead continue to prioritise the protection of its sovereignty.
But he also warned gratuitous belligerence towards Beijing was unhelpful, saying quiet diplomacy should win the day over slogans and media headlines.
Mr Turnbull on Monday appeared at the Lowy Institute to launch a book on China by journalist Peter Hartcher, the same day that Australia and New Zealand sought in bilateral talks to project unity on China.
Beijing has in the past 12 months launched a series of damaging trade strikes against Australia after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.