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Rudd concerned by US, China spat

Mandarin-speaking Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has expressed concern over a spike in tensions between the US and China over US naval visits to Hong Kong, a report said yesterday.

Rudd said that the row, sparked last month when Chinese authorities denied US military vessels access to Hong Kong's port, appeared to be a "breakdown in communications" and called on Beijing to allow distressed vessels into its ports.

"I am concerned about this apparent breakdown in communications, at least between the United States Navy and the Chinese authorities," Rudd said in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I would hope that normal arrangements can be restored as quickly as possible for assisting distressed vessels at sea," Rudd said.

The tensions erupted last month when Beijing barred US warships from seeking fuel and shelter in Hong Kong before a storm and also withdrew permission for the US aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk to dock there.

China implied that the actions were a response to US arms sales to Taiwan and US President George W. Bush's recent meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

Rudd's comments marked his first since formally taking power on Monday on the importance for Australia of a smooth relationship between the US, Canberra's primary ally, and China, the regional superpower.

The former diplomat, who won a general election two weeks ago, has indicated he would like to play a role in bridging the gap between China and the West.

The newspaper quoted Rudd as saying he intended to hold discussions with officials about how to bring China and the US together for talks about nuclear arms reductions.

"I believe this needs a multi-faceted diplomatic strategy. I believe that Australia has a role to play here," he said.

Earlier this week, Rudd told Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) he was ready to act as an intermediary between China and the developed world in talks on cutting carbon emissions which had left the two sides poles apart.

Rudd has said he intends to visit both the US and China next year.
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