Some tension but no ‘deep chill’ in China ties, Australia PM Malcolm Turnbull says
Reforms designed to counter ‘foreign interference in our politics’ prompted misinterpretations in Chinese media, he says
Australia’s prime minister has admitted bubbling tension with China over allegations of Beijing meddling in its domestic politics, but denied there was a “deep chill” in relations after reports that ministers were being refused visas.
Bilateral ties suffered late last year when Australia announced wide-ranging reforms to legislation on espionage and foreign interference, singling out China as a focus of concern.
It sparked a furious response from Beijing, which summoned Australia’s ambassador and attacked local media stories about infiltration, describing them as fabrications based on hysteria and paranoia.
Relations have yet to thaw, with another spat in January prompting Beijing to lodge a formal diplomatic protest after a senior Australian minister called Chinese infrastructure projects in the Pacific “white elephants”.
The Australian Financial Review reported on Thursday that China’s leadership was so incensed by Canberra’s rhetoric that it was regularly refusing visas to ministers and a major annual showcase of Australian trade and business in China looked certain to be abandoned this year.
