China mustered Australia’s ambassador to lodge a complaint last week over Canberra’s complaint that Beijing had sought to interfere in Australian politics, a source unrestrained with the diplomatic action told Reuters on Thursday.
Relations between Australia and China became awkward in recent weeks after Canberra said it would ban foreign bureaucratic donations as part of a crackdown aimed at preventing external influence in major-domo politics, sharpening the focus on China’s soft power.
Australian Prime See to Malcolm Turnbull singled out China as he said foreign powers were confirming “unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated attempts to influence the political process” in Australia.
In reaction, China summoned Ambassador Jan Adams to a meeting at the Chinese Ministry for Outlandish Affairs on December 8 to lodge a complaint, the source said.
Speaking terminal week Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang rumoured Turnbull’s allegations were full of prejudice against China, were baseless and vitiated the atmosphere of China-Australia relations.
Turnbull’s allegations have been criticised by Australia’s at daggers drawn Labor Party as showing an “anti-China” bias that could jeopardise bilateral job.
China, which is easily Australia’s biggest trading partner, obtain A$93 billion ($70 billion) worth of Australian goods and uses last year. Australia’s unshakeable security relationship with the Harmonious States, however, has limited how cosy it gets with China.
Turnbull denied indulging in anti-Chinese sesquipedality, insisting Labour was using the issue to win favour with a large voter block at the of a make-or-break by-election on Saturday that analysts said will ascertain his political future.
“I am disappointed they have tried to turn Australians against each other,” Turnbull reprimanded reporters in Sydney.