Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne has met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, ahead of high-level talks on Wednesday.
Ms Payne is in the US with Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.
Both wore masks as they exited an Australian government plane outside Washington DC on Monday (Australian time).
“This visit is a testament to the importance of our enduring alliance,” Ms Reynolds tweeted.
The pair flew to the US to attend the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations in person, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Just hours after they arrived in Washington, the White House was rocked when US President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien tested positive for the virus.
Mr O’Brien is the closest official to Mr Trump to test positive yet.
Tweet from @lindareynoldswa
Earlier, it was announced that Australia will join the US in military exercises through the South China Sea after branding Beijing’s maritime claims to the disputed waters unlawful.
It is expected Australia will be asked at this week’s AUSMIN talks to join the boosted US naval missions.
Labor deputy leader and defence spokesman Richard Marles said with 60 per cent of Australian shipping trade passing through the South China Sea, freedom of navigation was critical.
However, he said it was not in Australia’s interests to engage in territorial claims in the contested waters.
“We’ve got core national interests at issue in terms of navigating the South China Sea,” Mr Marles told ABC radio on Tuesday.
“As a matter of principle that [freedom of navigation exercises] does need to be on the table.”
-with AAP
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