Managing relations with China 'by far the most difficult task'

Former Labor senator Graham Richardson says managing relationships with China is “by far the most difficult task”. Mr Richardson’s remarks come as people are calling Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's response to China following the critical incident in the Yellow Sea. “The difficulty is of course that managing the Chinese relationship is by far the most difficult task and our foreign affairs efforts. By far,” Mr Richardson said. “I mean how do you manage a relationship a friendly one with someone who is buying your coal, while at the same time all of your defence … and strategic efforts are fighting a war with them. “It's really very difficult and from the Chinese side you can understand why they might find that a bit rich.”