China Struck by Australia, "Will Take Corresponding Measures"

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[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] After the Australian government canceled the Belt and Road Initiative (land and maritime Silk Road) projects signed with China, Chinese media strongly reacted, claiming that Australia pulled the trigger first.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 22nd that the Australian federal government canceled two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on Belt and Road projects signed between China and the Victorian government. China and the Victorian government had signed MOUs in 2018 and 2019 to participate in the Belt and Road projects.

Photo by Global Times capture

The Global Times, citing Chinese experts, stated that the bilateral relationship has reached a critical juncture and warned that Australia's unilateral cancellation of the MOUs would cause serious damage to the Australian economy.

Chen Hong, director of the Australia Research Institute at East China Normal University, said, "Until now, the Chinese government has not officially responded to Australian issues," adding, "This cancellation of the MOUs should be seen as an official act and provocation by the Australian government." He further warned, "Given Australia's very calculated moves, China will definitely respond accordingly."

The Chinese Embassy in Australia also immediately condemned Australia's cancellation of the MOUs, stating, "Australia has no intention to improve relations with China," and called this Australian action another unreasonable and provocative measure against China.

Song Wei, a researcher at the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Institute of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, defined the federal government's cancellation of MOUs signed by state governments as "the Australian government’s comprehensive intervention in development policy," and pointed out that "trade and economic relations between China and Australia will further deteriorate, negatively impacting Victoria's economic development."

In fact, Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, had opposed the cancellation of the MOUs signed with China, warning that it would further worsen the already strained relations with China.

The Global Times added that when the federal government passed the Foreign Relations Act at the end of last year, granting the foreign minister the authority to cancel contracts signed by state governments with foreign governments, it was already understood as a measure targeting China's Belt and Road projects, and warned that if Australia continues down the wrong path, China will certainly respond accordingly.

Meanwhile, when the Australian government demanded an international investigation into the origin of COVID-19 in April last year, China imposed economic retaliatory measures such as tariffs on Australian agricultural products including beef, barley, and wine, leading to diplomatic conflicts between the two countries.

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