China's Continued Retaliation Against Australia... Attempts to Block Economic and Human Exchanges

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] China is increasing pressure on Australia, which demanded an investigation into the origin of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). China is attempting to cut off not only economic ties but also human exchanges with Australia by severing dialogue. Recently, China has even warned its citizens about the risks of studying in Australia.

According to Xinhua News Agency on the 10th, the Chinese Ministry of Education warned about the risks of studying in Australia, where the new school term begins in July, citing an increase in racial discrimination against Chinese people due to the spread of COVID-19. Xinhua reported, "China issued its first study abroad warning of 2020 against Australia." The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism also recommended refraining from traveling to Australia on the 5th of this month due to racial discrimination related to COVID-19, emphasizing that this is an additional measure aimed at damaging human exchanges with Australia. Li Jenzhun, director of the Australia Research Institute at Beijing Foreign Studies University, warned, "If Australia does not change its unfriendly attitude, China may take further measures."

The cut-off of human exchanges, combined with the suspension of economic trade, is making bilateral relations even more difficult. According to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP), Simon Birmingham, Australia's Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism, recently attempted several times to contact his Chinese counterpart, Zhong Shan, Minister of Commerce, but failed. Minister Birmingham sought to discuss related issues after China imposed high tariffs on Australian barley and banned imports of Australian beef three weeks ago.

After the dialogue attempts failed, Minister Birmingham publicly expressed his disappointment. In an interview with the media, he said, "Australia tries to discuss issues even when opinions differ with other countries. Unfortunately, our repeated requests for dialogue were met negatively. It is very disappointing."

SCMP evaluated the current situation, where China and Australia?both heavily dependent on trade with each other?have turned their backs and severed dialogue, as highly unusual. It interpreted this as clarifying that the measures China has taken against Australia are ultimately retaliatory.

Political commentators diagnose that while it is unlikely China will completely sever ties with Australia, it is deliberately pursuing a diplomatic strategy of ignoring Australia.

Joo Joon, an international relations scholar at Bucknell University in the United States, said, "Ignoring Australia is part of China's diplomacy," adding, "It shows China's changed attitude toward Australia." He further mentioned, "It is clear that China is dissatisfied with Australia's recent moves to join the anti-China campaign of the Donald Trump administration." He explained, "China has long harbored grievances against Australia, as Australia conducted military exercises with the United States in the South China Sea, excluded Huawei from 5G infrastructure, and joined a joint statement opposing the Hong Kong National Security Law enacted by China."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.