Q: Have you been briefed on the two US aircraft that have gone down in the South China Sea? They’re not blaming anyone at the moment, but does it add to your level of concern about possible catastrophe, if there’s a miscalculation or something of that sort?

Anthony Albanese:

I have a been briefed. And the positive news that I’ve received in my briefing, these are developing issues, is that the crew on both the helicopter and the aircraft are safe. There hasn’t been a loss of life and that is a very positive thing that has occurred. Obviously the US will undertake an investigation as it occurs, when issues arise from the military. That will be up to – I have been briefed – but it will be up to the US obviously to make statements about that.

Q: Did Premier Li raise any questions with you about Australia’s critical minerals cooperation with the US?

Albanese:

We talked about the relationship with the US. I clearly have indicated the success of my visit to the US and we talked in a common way about that it was a good thing that President Trump and President Xi having a meeting over the next little period.

Q: You were talking about the importance of ASEAN but I understand you’re cutting your visit here short by one day. Can you just explain what you’re leaving out of your trip here? And what you’re going to get out of the extra day in Korea?

Albanese:

I’m not leaving out anything. Our program has been truncated because I note that the journalists who are here, as I said on the plane, aren’t the same as the journalists who were there on the trip to the US. As I say to my friends and colleagues here, just try and keep up with me. It’s a busy period. And we are engaged with Prime Ministers. We will have our bilateral tomorrow afternoon rather than Wednesday morning. It will enable me to be in Korea in time for the dinner which is Wednesday night. Programs at events like this change. That’s what happens. I don’t have other … ministers here. I’m doing the lot. As I say, just try and keep up.