'Inconsistent with foreign policy': Morris urges Victoria to scrap the BRI deal
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has blasted Victoria's Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China, saying it is against Australia's national interest, and is urging Premier Daniel Andrews to scrap the deal.
The BRI is Chinese President Xi Jinping's signature foreign policy agenda to bankroll infrastructure around the world. The deal with Victoria will allow for Chinese investment in the state and for Victorian companies to participate in Chinese government projects overseas.
Mr Morrison said all states and territories should not be entering into agreements inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy. Furthermore, there are critics from different parties against the BRI due to its nature; in fact, it is not a bargain for Australia. Others point out that the BRI is just a show to please China for attracting more Chinese students to study in Australia.
Australia's relationship with China is at all-time low, with Beijing issuing a warning for students and tourists travelling to Australia, accusing the country of "an alarming increase" in racial discrimination and violence during the pandemic.
China also launched trade strikes on AUD 1 billion worth of beef and barley in April after Australia lobbied for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. However, Mr Morrison stated that Australia would not back down from standing up for its values.
From an economic point of view, it seems unwise for Australia to have its income too reliant on China. Now that the world is suffering from Covid-19 and has seen the dark side of China. Many countries are quitting deals with China, maybe Daniel Andrews should reconsider whether the BRI is in the genuine interest of Australia.
#Australia #China #BRI
Source:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/inconsistent-with-foreign-policy-morrison-urges-victoria-to-scrap-bri-deal-20200611-p551k7.html
Further reading:
Romania terminates BRI project with China
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3946001
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has blasted Victoria's Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China, saying it is against Australia's national interest, and is urging Premier Daniel Andrews to scrap the deal.
The BRI is Chinese President Xi Jinping's signature foreign policy agenda to bankroll infrastructure around the world. The deal with Victoria will allow for Chinese investment in the state and for Victorian companies to participate in Chinese government projects overseas.
Mr Morrison said all states and territories should not be entering into agreements inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy. Furthermore, there are critics from different parties against the BRI due to its nature; in fact, it is not a bargain for Australia. Others point out that the BRI is just a show to please China for attracting more Chinese students to study in Australia.
Australia's relationship with China is at all-time low, with Beijing issuing a warning for students and tourists travelling to Australia, accusing the country of "an alarming increase" in racial discrimination and violence during the pandemic.
China also launched trade strikes on AUD 1 billion worth of beef and barley in April after Australia lobbied for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. However, Mr Morrison stated that Australia would not back down from standing up for its values.
From an economic point of view, it seems unwise for Australia to have its income too reliant on China. Now that the world is suffering from Covid-19 and has seen the dark side of China. Many countries are quitting deals with China, maybe Daniel Andrews should reconsider whether the BRI is in the genuine interest of Australia.
#Australia #China #BRI
Source:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/inconsistent-with-foreign-policy-morrison-urges-victoria-to-scrap-bri-deal-20200611-p551k7.html
Further reading:
Romania terminates BRI project with China
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3946001
The Sydney Morning Herald
'Inconsistent with foreign policy': Morrison urges Victoria to scrap BRI deal
Scott Morrison has blasted Victoria's Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China, saying it is against Australia's national interest.
Thousands of pounds from Britain’s coronavirus bailout pot for the cultural sector goes to music festival promoting “world control” by China
Art Council England awarded £78K to Belt and Road China-UK music festival. Supported by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, it promotes the country’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has been accused of ensnaring poorer countries in debt traps by funding infrastructure projects.
The chairman of the Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned the grant and said, “it’s one thing to tolerate Chinese propaganda, it’s quite another to pay for it.”
Source: Daily Mail #Oct25
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8876283/amp/Coronavirus-78-000-funds-arts-sector-given-Chinese-expansionist-festival.html
#British #UK #BRI #BeltandRoadInitiative #China #MusicFestival
Art Council England awarded £78K to Belt and Road China-UK music festival. Supported by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, it promotes the country’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has been accused of ensnaring poorer countries in debt traps by funding infrastructure projects.
The chairman of the Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned the grant and said, “it’s one thing to tolerate Chinese propaganda, it’s quite another to pay for it.”
Source: Daily Mail #Oct25
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8876283/amp/Coronavirus-78-000-funds-arts-sector-given-Chinese-expansionist-festival.html
#British #UK #BRI #BeltandRoadInitiative #China #MusicFestival
China is paving its “belt and road” to British Columbia
The “World Commodity Trade Center”, including four warehouses and two large exhibition halls, is a joint venture between a Chinese-sate sponsored company and a local development firm.
A trailblazing memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) between the B.C. government and Guangdong province in 2016 precedes the project. Most Western Jurisdictions have been apprehensive of Xi’s aspirations of emboldening China’s national and economic interests on a global scale, via the BRI’s foreign infrastructure investments and overseas financial, social and cultural programs.
Guo Taicheng, chairman of Shing Kee Godown Group and Canadian’s permanent resident, is leading this project. He is also executive vice-president of the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs, which is part of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (AFROC) of the CCP’s United Front.
Source: Tricity News #Aug17
https://www.tricitynews.com/china-is-paving-its-belt-and-road-to-british-columbia-1.24187665/
#Canada #China #BRI #CCP #BeltandRoad
The “World Commodity Trade Center”, including four warehouses and two large exhibition halls, is a joint venture between a Chinese-sate sponsored company and a local development firm.
A trailblazing memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) between the B.C. government and Guangdong province in 2016 precedes the project. Most Western Jurisdictions have been apprehensive of Xi’s aspirations of emboldening China’s national and economic interests on a global scale, via the BRI’s foreign infrastructure investments and overseas financial, social and cultural programs.
Guo Taicheng, chairman of Shing Kee Godown Group and Canadian’s permanent resident, is leading this project. He is also executive vice-president of the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs, which is part of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (AFROC) of the CCP’s United Front.
Source: Tricity News #Aug17
https://www.tricitynews.com/china-is-paving-its-belt-and-road-to-british-columbia-1.24187665/
#Canada #China #BRI #CCP #BeltandRoad
Chinese fishing plant in Torres Strait raises alarm for Australian industry and islanders
“Under the influence of China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy, Fujian Zhonghong Fishery Company decided to invest in Papua New Guinean (PNG) and signed the memorandum of understanding with PNG’s fisheries minister, Lino Tom.
A $200m Chinese-built fishery plant planned for a Papua New Guinean island could allow Chinese-backed commercial vessels to fish legally in the Torres Strait, and has raised concerns about unregulated fishing in the same waters, potentially threatening the Australian industry and local PNG fishers.
This deal could allow Chinese-backed commercial vessels to fish legally in the Torres Strait, and attract Chinese funding for PNG-flagged vessels.
In August 2020, nearly 300 Chinese vessels logged 73,000 hours of fishing in a month, hauling in thousands of tonnes of squid and fish.
Source: The Guardian #Nov26
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/27/chinese-fishing-plant-in-torres-strait-raises-alarm-for-australian-industry-and-islanders?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#Australia #BRI #PNG #Fishing #China
“Under the influence of China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy, Fujian Zhonghong Fishery Company decided to invest in Papua New Guinean (PNG) and signed the memorandum of understanding with PNG’s fisheries minister, Lino Tom.
A $200m Chinese-built fishery plant planned for a Papua New Guinean island could allow Chinese-backed commercial vessels to fish legally in the Torres Strait, and has raised concerns about unregulated fishing in the same waters, potentially threatening the Australian industry and local PNG fishers.
This deal could allow Chinese-backed commercial vessels to fish legally in the Torres Strait, and attract Chinese funding for PNG-flagged vessels.
In August 2020, nearly 300 Chinese vessels logged 73,000 hours of fishing in a month, hauling in thousands of tonnes of squid and fish.
Source: The Guardian #Nov26
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/27/chinese-fishing-plant-in-torres-strait-raises-alarm-for-australian-industry-and-islanders?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#Australia #BRI #PNG #Fishing #China
the Guardian
Chinese fishing plant in Torres Strait raises alarm for Australian industry and islanders
Processing plant on a Papua New Guinean island may bring more commercial pressure on fisheries in areas where regulation is uncertain
What it’s like living next to a Belt and Road Project
A lot reviews and analysis have been written about China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative by economists, political scientists, and climate experts; however, it’s rare to hear from the people whose lives are directly affected by the program.
It was a chance for them to express their concerns, such as disputes over land use rights, water and air pollution, deforestation, and loss of indigenous culture are just some of the issues they raised. The stories are a powerful reminder to governments and investors to consider the environmental and social impact of the BRI.
Source: Bloomberg #Dec21
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-21/what-it-s-like-living-next-to-a-belt-and-road-project
#BRI #BeltRoadInitiative #China #Environmental
A lot reviews and analysis have been written about China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative by economists, political scientists, and climate experts; however, it’s rare to hear from the people whose lives are directly affected by the program.
It was a chance for them to express their concerns, such as disputes over land use rights, water and air pollution, deforestation, and loss of indigenous culture are just some of the issues they raised. The stories are a powerful reminder to governments and investors to consider the environmental and social impact of the BRI.
Source: Bloomberg #Dec21
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-21/what-it-s-like-living-next-to-a-belt-and-road-project
#BRI #BeltRoadInitiative #China #Environmental
Turkey, Iran, Pakistan rail link to China's Belt and Road
The governments of Turkey, Iran and Pakistan will revive a transnational rail service linking Istanbul, Tehran and Islamabad (ITI), one of the projects in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
This project was launched in 2009 under the umbrella of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a 10-member political and economic intergovernmental organization founded in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.
China asked for additional guarantees from Pakistan and refused to give the complete concessional loan Islamabad.
That raises the question of how Pakistan will fund its railway network. Pakistan is expected to look for funding outside the BRI framework since China has no interest to offer financial support. China will lend political support to the ITI railroad because it complements the BRI. However, it still expects Iran, Pakistan and Turkey to bear costs and share risks if they wish to benefit from the trade and investment dividends a successful ITI railroad is expected to yield.
Source: Nikkei Asia #Dec29
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-rail-link-to-China-s-Belt-and-Road?fbclid=IwAR3uYQSSG30opttB_YiTZfu3klyQFgiovRrNuRGHfVHbUcBNRBWiiFRApAg
#BRI #Pakistan #China #ITI #ECO #Turkey
The governments of Turkey, Iran and Pakistan will revive a transnational rail service linking Istanbul, Tehran and Islamabad (ITI), one of the projects in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
This project was launched in 2009 under the umbrella of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a 10-member political and economic intergovernmental organization founded in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.
China asked for additional guarantees from Pakistan and refused to give the complete concessional loan Islamabad.
That raises the question of how Pakistan will fund its railway network. Pakistan is expected to look for funding outside the BRI framework since China has no interest to offer financial support. China will lend political support to the ITI railroad because it complements the BRI. However, it still expects Iran, Pakistan and Turkey to bear costs and share risks if they wish to benefit from the trade and investment dividends a successful ITI railroad is expected to yield.
Source: Nikkei Asia #Dec29
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-rail-link-to-China-s-Belt-and-Road?fbclid=IwAR3uYQSSG30opttB_YiTZfu3klyQFgiovRrNuRGHfVHbUcBNRBWiiFRApAg
#BRI #Pakistan #China #ITI #ECO #Turkey
Nikkei Asia
Turkey, Iran, Pakistan rail link to China's Belt and Road
Oriental express service for the 21st century connecting West Asia to China
China’s Digital Silk Road Initiative: A Boon for Developing Countries or a Danger to Freedom?
Beijing launched the Digital Silk Road (DSR) as part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2015 with a loose mandate.
DSR offers supports Chinese exporters, including many well-known Chinese technology companies. The DSR assistance goes toward improving recipients’ telecommunications networks, artificial intelligence capabilities, cloud computing, e-commerce and mobile payment systems, surveillance technology, smart cities, and other high-tech areas.
Some democracies have raised serious concerns that China may use DSR to enable recipient countries to adopt its model of technology-enabled authoritarianism. Chinese technology companies have already helped governments in other countries develop surveillance capabilities and Beijing has provided training for interested DSR recipient countries on how to monitor and censor the internet.
Building 5G network with Chinese companies could risk espionage and coercion of other states’ politics if Beijing used data breaches to blackmail political elites in those states. DSR could also help recipient countries better control their internets through filtering, content moderation, data localization, and surveillance.
Source: The Diplomat #Dec17
https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/chinas-digital-silk-road-initiative-a-boon-for-developing-countries-or-a-danger-to-freedom/
#BRI #DSR #China #ChinaDigitalThreat #ChineseTechnologySurveillance
Beijing launched the Digital Silk Road (DSR) as part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2015 with a loose mandate.
DSR offers supports Chinese exporters, including many well-known Chinese technology companies. The DSR assistance goes toward improving recipients’ telecommunications networks, artificial intelligence capabilities, cloud computing, e-commerce and mobile payment systems, surveillance technology, smart cities, and other high-tech areas.
Some democracies have raised serious concerns that China may use DSR to enable recipient countries to adopt its model of technology-enabled authoritarianism. Chinese technology companies have already helped governments in other countries develop surveillance capabilities and Beijing has provided training for interested DSR recipient countries on how to monitor and censor the internet.
Building 5G network with Chinese companies could risk espionage and coercion of other states’ politics if Beijing used data breaches to blackmail political elites in those states. DSR could also help recipient countries better control their internets through filtering, content moderation, data localization, and surveillance.
Source: The Diplomat #Dec17
https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/chinas-digital-silk-road-initiative-a-boon-for-developing-countries-or-a-danger-to-freedom/
#BRI #DSR #China #ChinaDigitalThreat #ChineseTechnologySurveillance
The Diplomat
China’s Digital Silk Road Initiative: A Boon for Developing Countries or a Danger to Freedom?
Some observers worry that it will equip authoritarian governments with next-generation surveillance technologies.
China builds Digital Silk Road in Pakistan to Africa and Europe
China is set to lay the final stretch of a cross-border fiber optic cable in Pakistan as part of the Digital Silk Road.
The Special Communications Organization (SCO), the telecommunications branch of the Pakistan Army, is about to lay a fiber optic cable between Rawalpindi and Karachi and Gwadar's port cities. The $240 million project is in partnership with China's Huawei Technologies and was approved by the government on Jan 21. It will also connect with the PEACE (Pakistan East Africa Connecting Europe) cable in the Arabian Sea.
The Mediterranean section of the cable is already being laid from Egypt to France, and the 15,000 km long cable is expected to go into service later this year.
Source: Nikkei Asia #Jan29
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/China-builds-Digital-Silk-Road-in-Pakistan-to-Africa-and-Europe
#DSR #BRI #ChinaPakistan #PEACE
China is set to lay the final stretch of a cross-border fiber optic cable in Pakistan as part of the Digital Silk Road.
The Special Communications Organization (SCO), the telecommunications branch of the Pakistan Army, is about to lay a fiber optic cable between Rawalpindi and Karachi and Gwadar's port cities. The $240 million project is in partnership with China's Huawei Technologies and was approved by the government on Jan 21. It will also connect with the PEACE (Pakistan East Africa Connecting Europe) cable in the Arabian Sea.
The Mediterranean section of the cable is already being laid from Egypt to France, and the 15,000 km long cable is expected to go into service later this year.
Source: Nikkei Asia #Jan29
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/China-builds-Digital-Silk-Road-in-Pakistan-to-Africa-and-Europe
#DSR #BRI #ChinaPakistan #PEACE
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Scott Morrison could tear up Victoria's controversial Belt and Road deal with China with WEEKS as PM declares there's 'no benefit' to Australia
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has claimed Victoria's controversial Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China has no benefits.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews who signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 with China,
and other state premiers and chief ministers must detail to the Commonwealth all agreements made with foreign powers by March 10 for the assessment of the Federal Government
The intervention was made possible when Federal legislation was passed in December allowing the foreign minister to review and scrap state, territory, local council and public university deals with other nations.
Source: DailyMail #Feb15
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9260117/No-benefit-Scott-Morrison-tear-Victorias-controversial-Belt-Road-deal-China.html
#Australia #BRI #BRINoBenefit #China #CCP
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has claimed Victoria's controversial Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China has no benefits.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews who signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 with China,
and other state premiers and chief ministers must detail to the Commonwealth all agreements made with foreign powers by March 10 for the assessment of the Federal Government
The intervention was made possible when Federal legislation was passed in December allowing the foreign minister to review and scrap state, territory, local council and public university deals with other nations.
Source: DailyMail #Feb15
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9260117/No-benefit-Scott-Morrison-tear-Victorias-controversial-Belt-Road-deal-China.html
#Australia #BRI #BRINoBenefit #China #CCP
China Faces European Obstacles as Some Countries Heed U.S. Pressure
Some European countries are starting to block Chinese involvement in their economies, drawing closer to positions advocated by the U.S. amid growing anxiety in Europe over China’s increasingly aggressive geopolitical posture.
Romania and Lithuania are taking broad measures to exclude Chinese companies from certain public procurements. Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Romania have suspended public tenders involving Chinese companies for work on nuclear-power plants, highways, rail lines, security scanners and a shipping-container terminal. Greece is debating whether to allow a Chinese shipping company to increase its majority stake in the country’s largest port.
The shift is largely taking place in smaller European countries, adding to tensions within the European Union, where big countries still largely favour maintaining business links with China.
Source: WSJ #Feb23
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-faces-european-obstacles-as-some-countries-heed-u-s-pressure-11614088843
#China #EastEurope #EU #ChineseInvestment #BRI
Some European countries are starting to block Chinese involvement in their economies, drawing closer to positions advocated by the U.S. amid growing anxiety in Europe over China’s increasingly aggressive geopolitical posture.
Romania and Lithuania are taking broad measures to exclude Chinese companies from certain public procurements. Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Romania have suspended public tenders involving Chinese companies for work on nuclear-power plants, highways, rail lines, security scanners and a shipping-container terminal. Greece is debating whether to allow a Chinese shipping company to increase its majority stake in the country’s largest port.
The shift is largely taking place in smaller European countries, adding to tensions within the European Union, where big countries still largely favour maintaining business links with China.
Source: WSJ #Feb23
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-faces-european-obstacles-as-some-countries-heed-u-s-pressure-11614088843
#China #EastEurope #EU #ChineseInvestment #BRI
WSJ
China Faces European Obstacles as Some Countries Heed U.S. Pressure
Some European countries are starting to block Chinese involvement in their economies, drawing closer to positions advocated by the U.S. amid growing anxiety in Europe over China’s increasingly aggressive geopolitical posture.