Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Sunday she would visit Japan, China and South Korea this week for talks on energy security in the face of disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.
Wong said in a statement that the meeting with his counterparts in the three countries will “help ensure that we are coordinating effectively” amid turmoil in global energy markets.
Wong said in Tokyo she would meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegito for talks on energy and fuel security as well as the Middle East conflict.
In Beijing, Wong said she would hold the eighth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Dialogue “will advance the full range of our interests and resolve our differences,” he said.
Wong said in Seoul that she would meet with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, describing South Korea as “one of Australia’s most important sources of refined fuel”.
Australia, which imports most of its fuel, has experienced local shortages during the Middle East conflict, which began in February.
