China-Australia relations: ‘crude’ meddling and disrespect ‘poisoned’ ties, says Beijing, after latest ban

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin says Australia’s excessive criticisms of Xinjiang, Taiwan and Hong Kong has ‘poisoned’ the relationship

China banned imports of logs from a second Australian state from Wednesday, the latest in a series of trade blocks

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Last week, importers in China were verbally advised to avoid purchases of seven Australian products, including log timber, as tensions between the two countries increased. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 3:05pm, 12 Nov 2020Updated: 10:40pm, 12 Nov 2020

China has labelled Australia’s perceived interference in its domestic affairs as “crude”, saying its meddling and disrespect for Chinese sovereignty has damaged the bilateral relations between the two countries, a day after it banned imports of logs from a second Australian state.

Providing more insight into the Chinese government’s position on the conflict that has escalated over the last seven months, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday said Australia’s excessive public criticisms of political issues in Xinjiang, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and its constant slander of China without evidence, had “poisoned” the relationship.

These actions have severely damaged mutual trust between the two countries, poisoned bilateral relations, and undermined the principles of Sino-Australian cooperation

Wang Wenbin

“The reasons for the difficult relationship between China and Australia are very clear. For some time now, Australia has been blatantly violating usual diplomatic practises in international relations and has made inflammatory comments on China’s domestic matters relating to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan repeatedly,” Wang said.

“Some people in Australia have slandered, accused China, and politicised the relationship without evidence.

“These actions have severely damaged mutual trust between the two countries, poisoned bilateral relations, and undermined the principles of Sino-Australian cooperation.”

Wang, in the daily foreign ministry press conference, also urged Australia to “face up” to these issues – which have had a hand in breaking down the communication between the two countries – and asked Australia to treat China fairly and respectfully as a means to put a halt to the conflict.