Penny Wong began Thursday with some fish ball juk and noodles, not so completely different from her childhood in Malaysia's Sabah area.
The congee-like dish from the Foh Sang cafe she frequented together with her father was simply pretty much as good as she remembered, one of the best factor she ate on a two-day journey.
However the context of her homecoming — as a Malaysian-born Australian overseas minister attempting to deepen the nation's smooth energy in South-East Asia — was very completely different.
"I hope that my private story can contribute to the connection however, extra importantly, what I need to emphasise is that it is not solely my story," she advised journalists in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday.
Wong stated she hoped her story, which included life and education in Sabah till the age of eight, might assist enhance Australia's relationships within the space.
"You are seeing components of my life right here, however this story could be advised by so many Australians," she stated.
"The story of migration, the story of balik kampung (homecoming), the reminiscences of the place you got here from and what which means about who you might be.
"And that is a very essential a part of the Australian story."
Wong's return to the area has been broadly lined within the Malaysian press as the brand new overseas minister units her sights on South-East Asia following a whirlwind diplomatic effort within the Pacific instantly after taking workplace.
"I believe it issues that Australia speaks to South-East Asia in a manner that recognises that we're a part of this area and that our futures are shared," she stated.
"These are difficult instances on the planet. We're all looking for to navigate these difficult instances and we do it greatest once we do it collectively.
"And that collectivity comes from an understanding that our future prosperity and safety is shared."
Wong's visits, to Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga, have been partly influenced by China's forceful diplomatic push within the area.
Coping with China, newly declared as a "safety menace" by the European NATO army alliance for the primary time ever, seems sure to be the important thing problem for Wong within the position.
Within the coastal metropolis on the shore of the hotly contested South China Sea, Wong strengthened the importances of following worldwide legislation for "all states within the area", when requested about Beijing's affect.
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"Quite a lot of our commerce transits the South China Sea," she stated.
"There's a purpose why it is very important have worldwide legislation noticed.
"That is the place Australia will proceed to take and the nations of the area will proceed to take."