Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has embarked on a fleeting trip to the United States for a meeting of the Quad countries that will focus heavily on China and Joe Biden's impending departure from the US presidency.
The leaders of the US, Japan, India and Australia will gather in Mr Biden's home state of Delaware this weekend for discussions aimed at ensuring security in the Indo-Pacific region.
US concerns about China will dominate the talks, along with the AUKUS arrangements that will see Australia acquire US nuclear-powered submarines.
The White House's National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said China will "certainly be high on the agenda" when asked about the Quad meeting.
"In fact, it would be irresponsible if they didn't talk about the challenges that still exist in the region, caused by aggressive PRC [People's Republic of China] military action, for instance, unfair trade practices [and] tensions over the Taiwan Strait," he said.
Kurt Campbell, the US Deputy Secretary of State, was blunt about the challenges China poses to regional security.
"Frankly, the Cold War pales in comparison to the multifaceted challenges that China presents," he told the congressional foreign relations committee in Washington on Wednesday, local time.
"It's not just a military challenge, it's across the board — it is in the global south, it is in technology," he said.
"We need to step up our game across the board."
Mr Albanese placed less emphasis on China, speaking in more general terms about the Quad's "important gathering" before he departed for Delaware.
"The priority is about peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, as well as stability and prosperity. It will be a real opportunity for us to re-engage," he said.
Biden brings leaders close to home Facing his final months in office, Mr Biden has taken a more personal approach to the formal gathering by inviting Mr Albanese, Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida to meet in his home state.
It is "a sign of great friendship" and commitment to continuing to build relationships, Mr Albanese said.
"I see it as the president continuing to do his job as the leader of the United States, a great partner of Australia, and a sign of great friendship that he's developed with myself, with Prime Minister Modi and with Prime Minister Kishida."
Mr Albanese will hold what is likely to be his last one-on-one meeting with Mr Biden, with the US presidential election to be held in November.
"I have a very close personal relationship with President Biden, which is why I'm very much looking forward to meeting him over the next couple of days," he said.
It is a period of flux for the Quad, with Japan's Mr Kishida also close to finishing his term as leader.
Mr Albanese's trip will be brief and he will spend as much time in transit as he will on the ground in the US.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
