He aimed to sign a sweeping regional deal to entrench Beijing’s influence after reaching a security agreement with the Solomon Islands that may allow naval ships to dock some 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Australia’s coast.Ī trained lawyer, the 53-year-old Wong said Australian aid wouldn’t come “with strings attached, nor impose unsustainable financial burdens” - a pointed reference to China’s agreements with developing countries around the world. Within days of being sworn in on May 23, Wong - born to a Chinese Malaysian father - rushed to Fiji to counter a rare trip to nearby Pacific island countries by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Now she’s quickly confronting the nation’s most difficult geopolitical challenge in decades. (Bloomberg) - Penny Wong has already made history as both the first Asian-born and openly gay woman to become Australia’s top diplomat.
