International relations

Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs met virtually with regional counterparts for the annual Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' meeting.

The Government is disappointed and deeply concerned that Chinese authorities have decided to prosecute Australian citizen and academic Dr Yang Hengjun (Dr Yang Jun).

Trade opportunities across the Pacific will be boosted with formal notification today that Cook Islands has ratified the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus).

Australia joins the Government and people of the Republic of Fiji in celebrating 50 years of Fiji’s independence.

Australia has been informed that the Chinese authorities have decided to prosecute Australian citizen Dr Yang Hengjun on charges yet to be announced.