Australian opposition leader: China relations won’t change

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The opposition leader in Australia says its relationship with China will remain difficult even if his center-left Labor Party wins power at elections for the first time in almost a decade. Anthony Albanese addressed the National Press Club on Tuesday in what is regarded as an unofficial launch of campaigning ahead of elections due by May. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will address the club next week. Albanese suggested Australia’s policy toward a more belligerent China would not divide the parties during the campaign. Albanese says he didn’t “blame the government and never have for the current circumstances” of the bilateral relationship.