China angrily denies buying political influence in Australia
Chinese embassy statement says political donation allegations ‘made up out of thin air’ and they threaten the trust between the two major trading partners
China has denied allegations that it has tried to covertly influence Australian politics after Canberra announced that it would ban foreign political donations.
A statement from the Chinese embassy in Australia said allegations first aired in the media of China attempting to increase political influence through donations were “made up out of thin air and filled with a cold war mentality and ideological bias”.
The statement also criticised media reports about China’s increasing influence on university campuses, adding that the allegations might harm political trust with Australia.
“The relevant reports not only made unjustifiable accusations against the Chinese government, but also unscrupulously vilified Chinese students as well as the Chinese community in Australia with racial prejudice, which in turn has tarnished Australia’s reputation as a multicultural society,” the statement said.
“[This] reflected a typical anti-China hysteria and paranoia,” it added. “China has no intention of interfering in Australia’s internal affairs or exerting influence on its political process through political donations.”