China congratulates new Australian PM despite tensions over COVID

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that China had reached out to congratulate him on his appointment, despite recent bilateral tensions after Canberra called for an inquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus. “I have received, now, a letter of congratulations from Premier Li (Keqiang), as I have from other world leaders. And I welcome that,” Albanese said, adding that the Australian government would “respond appropriately in time.” Albanese was speaking to reporters in Tokyo, where he joined the leaders of Japan, the United States and India for a “Quad” summit. According to China’s State Council, the letter…