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Australia plans to Give Federal the Power to Abolish Agreements Between Local and Foreign Governments: Not Against China

Australia is proposing legislation to give the federal government the power to repeal any agreements that local governments and public bodies make with foreign governments. Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said on Thursday (27th August 2020) that the action was not directed at China.

Under the new legislation, the foreign minister will have the power to revoke any agreement between a local government, city council or public university, and a foreign government if it "jeopardises Australia's diplomatic relations" or "is inconsistent with Australian foreign policy". The legislation has a retrospective effect, and Morrison said, as far as he knows, Australia has 130 agreements with 30 countries.

The legislation is designed to reduce the influence of the Chinese Communist Party in Australia's trade and national security. Nevertheless, Morrison denied that the new law was particularly for China and that "the law concerns Australia's sovereign interests".

In recent years, almost all of the Australian regional governments signed cooperation agreements with China, including in mining, education and tourism. Australian universities are also trying to forge closer ties with China, as overseas students are a significant contributor to Australia's economy, generating AUD 35 billion (HKD 196 billion) a year, with Chinese students accounting for a third of the total.

#Australia #China #ChineseEconomicInfluence #ScottMorrison #Federal

Source: Apple Daily #Aug27

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20200827/DSFE2SKT55EZHEGSRD3QNLWQWA/
Australia PM to legislate disposal of Belt and Road Initiative agreement between Victoria and China

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, will be legislating next week to ban multiple deals with foreign governments which are found not to be in line with national interest, one of which is the multi-million-dollar Belt and Road Initiative agreement between Victoria and Beijing.

The Australian has reported that this is an unprecedented move against Chinese interference and the protection of state secrets.

Source: Sky News #Aug26
https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6184681606001

#Australia #Victoria #ScottMorrison #BeltandRoadInitiative
Australian Prime Minister Visits Japan, Signing Security Pact to Counter China's Influence

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrived in Japan on Tuesday for a visit. Reuters reports that Morrison is expected to sign a historic military cooperation agreement with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to cooperate in countering the growing influence of China in the region.

Morrison arrived in Japan on Tuesday, and an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan said that the meeting would include an announcement, but did not reveal any details. Some security experts estimate that Morrison and Suga will sign the Reciprocal Access Agreement, establishing a legal framework to allow mutual military training visits and joint exercises.

Japan has been negotiating the agreement for over six years, and still needs to be ratified by the Japanese Parliament. It will be the first military cooperation related agreement since the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security in the 1960s, allowing the U.S. to base warship, fighter jets and set up military bases in and around Japan.

#Australia #Japan #ReciprocalAccessAgreement #ScottMorrison #YoshihideSuga #CounterChina #IndoPacific

Source: Apple Daily #Nov16

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201116/OKL2DG4UGNGF5O5GITAYZ7PWSM/
Zhao Lijian posts 'Australian Soldier Killing Child' image. Australian PM: fake image insults soldiers, demands an apology.

Australia-China Relations have deteriorated again after the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian posted a picture of an Australian soldier killing an Afghan child on Twitter. The post immediately caused discontent in Australia, with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling the fake image offensive and objectionable, and demanding an apology from China.

The image shows a man in military uniform standing on a puzzle of the Australian and Afghan flags with a sabre held to the boy's neck and the words "Don't be afraid, we are coming to bring you peace."

The picture looks quite real, but according to the Australian media, it is actually a satirical painting by the pro-China creator "Wu He Qi Lin". Zhao wrote “Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers. call for holding them accountable.” on a Twitter post with the picture.

Source: Stand News #Nov30

https://bit.ly/2KChPGd

#China #Australia #SinoAustralianRelations #AfghanWar #ChineseForeignMinistry #ChineseForeignMinistrySpokesman #ZhaoLijian #AustralianPM #ScottMorrison #AustralianSoldier #AustralianFlag #AfghanFlag #WuHeQiLin
Australian Prime Minister Ignored Criticism from China, Refusing the Amend the Policy “Australia is Australia”

The spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian listed out the “China-related wrongdoings” in the regular press conference on Tuesday, requesting Australia to reflect seriously. On the same day, an anonymous Chinese Official directly pointed out in an Australian media interview that the Chinese government is angry at Australia, and even provided a document from the Chinese Embassy in Australia with 14 dissatisfied “anti-China actions” by the Australian government to China. Scott Morrison, the Australia Prime Minister, said in a response on Thursday that Australia would defend their interest and would not change their usual policies. “Australia is Australia.”

Morrison said in response regarding the complaints from the Chinese Embassy in Australia on Thursday that Australia would defend their own interest and would not change their usual policies, including press freedom, elected members enabling them to express their views, as well as standing up for human rights. “If these are the reasons for the tense relationship between our two countries, it seems to be because Australia is Australia only.” He emphasised, “we will not compromise, rather, we will propose Foreign Investment Law, set up 5G network, or prevent the interference of our system.”

#China #Australia #ScottMorrison #ChineseEmbassy #AntiChina

Source: Apple Daily #Nov19

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201119/DF7TAZRBY5GMPHKIP5H27Q32DI/
Australian Bipartisan Inquiry Proposes Human Rights Accountability Law to Prohibit Entry and Confiscate Assets of Human Rights Offenders

A bipartisan parliamentary inquiry in Australia was to suggest the Morrison government to enact a new bill akin to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Once the bill is passed, it will give the government the power to impose visa and asset sanctions on individuals who commit serious human rights violations or corruption.

Sources from the government have confirmed with local media Herald Sun and The Sunday Age that it would set up a new sanction system in the coming new year, but at the same time emphasized that it would first review the new report to be released by the inquiry this week. The report includes a draft legislation developed by Australian human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson for the government’s reference.

The inquiry suggested that an independent oversight committee composed of experts be established with regards to human rights violations. The committee would give the government its recommendations for individuals to sanction, and the foreign minister may decide corresponding sanctions upon considering factors such as national security, trading and diplomatic relations.

#Australia #China #humanrights #sanction #Morrison #GeoffreyRobertson #Robertson #ScottMorrison #HeraldSun #TheSundayAge #Magnitsky #MagnitskyAct #GlobalMagnitskyHumanRightsAccountabilityAct

Source: Stand News #Dec07

https://bit.ly/3awyE0i
Australian PM's response of 'Australian Army Killing Children' Picture Controversy Censored by Wechat for 'Misleading and Contrary to Objective Facts'

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian caused a diplomatic storm after posted a cartoon satirising killing the Afghan civilians by Australian soldiers on Twitter. On Tuesday (1 December), Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a comment on WeChat in response to Zhao, but was deleted by WeChat, due to "inflammatory, misleading and contrary to objective facts". The incident has also caught international attention, such as New Zealand, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Taiwan, issuing statements supporting Australia.

Zhao Lijian recently shared a cartoon on the social networking site Twitter, sketching Australian soldiers killing an Afghan child. Morrison criticised China on Monday (30 November) that the fake image is offensive and revolting, and demanded an apology with image removal from China.

Morrison later issued another WeChat commentary, saying that the military crime report allegations were being dealt with in an "honest and transparent" manner, stressing that Australia was dealing with military crimes in the way that "any free, democratic and enlightened country" would. Morrison also said that the diplomatic row between Australia and China would not diminish Australia's respect and appreciation for the Chinese people. Australian media said 57,000 people had clicked to view the comment.

Source: Stand News #Dec03

https://bit.ly/2KSq0P0

#China #Australia #SinoAustrlianRelations #ChineseForeignMinistry #ChineseForeignMinistrySpokesman #ZhaoLijian #AustralianPrimeMinister #ScottMorrison #SatireCartoon #AustralianSoldier #WeChat #Censorship
Australia Universities are “Addicted” to the Income of Chinese Students, Feared to Fall Out of the World's Top 100 Rankings Due to China's Ban

Many Chinese students study aboard in Australia every year, bringing massive benefits to Australian universities. Some universities principals describe that the industry has already “addicted” to the Chinese market. As China-Australia relations deteriorated, China publicly called for not to study in Australia. Some analysis believes that this action massively reduces the universities research expenditures due to the drastic reduction in income. And eventually, it leads to domestic universities falling out of the top 100 in the world.

“Addicted” in relying on the Chinese market
From the start of last year, China-Australia relations become more worsen, Australian President Scott Morrison publicly called out for having an independent investigation into the origin of COVID-19. However, the Beijing government regards this action as a move against China. Afterwards, China launches a trade war against Australia, imposing import bans or tariffs to Australian products such as beef, red wine, coal and lobsters. Chinese Education Department called out to students not to study in Australia, and Australia banned international students from entry due to the pandemic.

Chinese international students contributed around AUD 7 billion (HKD 41.8 billion) to Australian universities each year. Greg Craven, Principal of Australian Catholic University, said the industry is over-relied on the Chinese market, it even brought sovereign risks to Australia. He said helplessly, “They (principals from other universities) all knew about the issues of China, and I have also mentioned in the expert group or publicly, but they chose to remain silent, which is like being addicted to drugs.”

Source from: Apple Daily #Jan05

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210105/S7F6EFJHDZDD3EJ4GUKZPEEPEE/

#China #Australia #TradeWar #Universities #internationalstudents #ranking #ScottMorrison #GregCraven #Education
Australian clarity and Beijing’s panic mark a tumultuous week

After another tumultuous week in the Australia–China relationship, four conclusions are becoming increasingly clear. First, we are going to be on this rollercoaster ride for years. National positions are hardening. Neither Beijing nor Canberra will back down and the prospects for ‘negotiation’ are zero given China’s ‘wolf warrior’ mania.

Second, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his senior ministers look increasingly confident in their stance to seek ‘a balance in favour of freedom’. The language used about relations with China is careful but is becoming clearer and more definitive. There is something to be said for knowing when your back is hard up against a strategic wall.

Source: The Strategist #Apr24

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-clarity-and-beijings-panic-mark-a-tumultuous-week/

#Australia #Beijing #Strategic #Canberra #ScottMorrison
Australia will not send officials to Beijing Winter Olympics
Prime Minister said the approach is in the national interest


Australia announced that they would not send government officials to the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympic after the United States, due to human rights issues in China. However, Australian athletes will continue to participate in the games.

Scott Morrison, the Australian Prime Minister, indicated in view of the deterioration in relations with China in recent years, Australia’s participation in the diplomatic boycott is “no surprise”. He stated the approach is in the national interest and is the right measure.

Morrison said the decision was based on the human rights issues in Xinjiang China, and other issues that Australians has been expressing.

Source: Stand News #Dec08

#Australia #China #Xinjiang #WinterOlympics #HumanRights #BeijingOlympics #ScottMorrison
Scott Morrison's WeChat account suspected of being hacked, MPs call for boycott over election interference

Australian media reported on Monday (24th January) that Prime Minister Scott Morrison's WeChat official account was suspected of being hacked and turned into a pro-Beijing account “Aohua Xinshenghuo (Australian Chinese New Life)”. His WeChat team has been unable to log in since the beginning of the year. Its 76,000 followers were notified to quit following old accounts. Some parliamentarians believe this is China's interference in Australia's internal affairs in an election year, and call on Australian politicians to boycott WeChat.

The abnormality of Morrison's WeChat public account was first reported by The Daily Telegraph. It was pointed out that earlier this month, Morrison's official WeChat account had been renamed “Aohua Xinshenghuo” and his profile picture had been changed. The account description was now "providing life information for overseas Chinese in Australia".

Source: RFA #Jan24

https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/au-wechat-01242022053954.html

#Australia #AustralianPM #ScottMorrison #WeChat #hacking #ChinaInterference #boycott #AustralianElection #OverseasChinese
Australia requests an investigation and an explanation on a Chinese warship irradiating an Australian patrol aircraft with a laser

On #Feb17, a Chinese navy warship used laser irradiating an Australian royal air force patrol at the north of mainland #Australia.

Australian PM, #ScottMorrison, said that Australia requested a full investigation into the incident through diplomatic methods. He also asked China to explain why "a professional defence force" can do such a dangerous act.

Hw tod the press on #Feb21, "This is completely unacceptable to have such an act. As a result, we requested to have an investigation on the warship behaviour... It is very unprofessional for a mature navy to have these dangerous and reckless acts, so we hope China to provide us with an answer."

However, the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, #WangWenbin, replied the accusation is not true and claimed the Chinese warship was "sailing normally", "complying with relevant international law".

#NavyWarship #RoyalAirForcePatrol

Source: SBS #Feb22

https://www.sbs.com.au/chinese/cantonese/zh-hant/scott-morrison-demands-full-investigation-into-chinese-laser-incident?cid=alc:soc:bau:con:SBSChineseTelegram::na
Solomon Islands and China to sign security agreement, Australia, New Zealand worry about stability in region

At a glance:

- Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has said publicly that a security cooperation agreement with China has been finalised and is ready to be signed, and has texted Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the development. Sogavare also said that Morrison’s criticism of the country's agreement with China is 'very insulting'.

- Australia's High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Lachie Strahan, said on a social media site that Australia was concerned about a security cooperation agreement to be signed between the Solomon Islands and China

- The agreement is seen as potentially leading to the establishment of a Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands.

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman in Beijing, Wang Wenbin, asked rhetorically, “Who is building the militarised cabal that will bring the risk of nuclear proliferation to the Pacific?”

-Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare said the country's security cooperation agreement with China has been finalised and is ready to be signed.
Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have expressed concern about a possible security cooperation agreement between the Solomon Islands and China, which could lead to the establishment of a Chinese military base in the Pacific Islands Region.

Source: SBS Australia #Mar29

https://www.sbs.com.au/chinese/cantonese/zh-hant/as-concerns-grow-over-solomon-islands-china-pact-here-s-how-it-could-impact-the-pacific-region

#AsiaPacific #PacificIslandsRegion #Oceania #China #SolomonIslands #Australia #ChineseForeignMinistry #WangWenbin #ManassehSogavare #ScottMorrison #Chinesemilitarybase #securitycooperationagreement