Australia's foreign affairs chief cautions China against resorting to 'coercion'

Frances Adamson urges Beijing to reflect on how its increasingly assertive stance is being received by other countries

Australia's foreign affairs chief has warned Beijing against resorting to pressure or coercion", declaring China would be wrong to assume it was now so powerful it could set the terms of its engagement with the world.

Amid heightened tensions between Australia and its largest trading partner, Frances Adamson used a major speech on Wednesday night to urge the Chinese government to reflect on how its increasingly assertive actions would be received by other countries.