Scott Morrison says it would have been ‘weakness’ for him to meet new Chinese ambassador

Australian prime minister defends level of support for Solomon Islands and rest of Pacific amid tensions over security deal

The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, says there will be no diplomatic thaw in relations with China until it lifts a block on ministerial meetings.

So long as China continues to refuse to have dialogue with Australian ministers and the prime minister, I think that's an entirely proportional response," Morrison told reporters on Saturday regarding reports he declined to meet China's new ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian.