Anthony Albanese will shift his focus to clean energy talks at the ASEAN Summit after Australia landed a breakthrough deal on rock lobster.
The prime minister is set to meet with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba and the Asia Zero Economic Community, which aims for a transition away from fossil fuels while supporting economic growth.
“The transition to net-zero is an ongoing theme with all of the countries that I’ve engaged with,” he told reporters in Vientiane in Laos on Friday.
Mr Albanese maintained Australia was a reliable supplier of energy, following concerns raised by Japan about calls to cut gas exports.
He said the debate among leaders in Asia was over where the next opportunities could be found, such as the emerging hydrogen industry.
Asked what Premier Li Qiang had sought in return for China agreeing to remove trade bans on Australian rock lobster exports, Mr Albanese replied:”I don’t engage in a transactional way.”
Beijing has gradually removed trade sanctions worth $20 billion since Labor took power in 2022.
They were imposed in 2020 after the former Morrison government called for an inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Albanese said he had discussed defence and security with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and had met with the leaders of Korea, Canada and New Zealand among others.
Nations were “mature” in dealing with disputes over the South China Sea.
“It was a time where we could advance Australia’s interests, and we have an interest in this region,” he said.
Quizzed on Japan’s reported push for an Asian NATO, Mr Albanese said the issue had not been raised with him in meetings.
“What we have is our own security arrangements that are in place,” he said.
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