NAN-F-11
Allegations
Beijing, Dec. 14, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Beijing on Thursday summoned Australia’s ambassador to China, following waves of criticism in Australia about undue Chinese influence in its domestic politics, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday.
Kang confirmed the meeting between envoy Jan Adams and the ministry, saying that it was an opportunity to clarify China’s diplomatic position.
“Australia should understand very clearly China’s position on issues related to the relations between the two countries,” he said.
Beijing has accused the Australian media this week of “racial paranoia” in its reporting on China.
News of the summons was first reported in The Australian newspaper, which said that the meeting took place on Friday.
The Australian said that China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, on Monday made formal representations to the acting secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Penny Williams.
Adams’ meeting followed recent comments by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about Chinese interference and his announcement of support for a ban on foreign political donations.
Fears of undue Chinese influence were revived in recent weeks, after opposition senator Sam Dastyari was demoted by his party then announced his resignation over his links with people connected to the Chinese government.
It emerged that he had warned a Chinese businessman that his phone was being tapped by intelligence agencies and that he had defended China on the South China Sea issue at a news conference held for Chinese media, contradicting his own party’s position.
Chinese state media outlet The Global Times responded on Monday by calling Australian media coverage “racial paranoia” that “tarnished Australia’s image as a multicultural society”.
“China has no intention of interfering in Australia’s internal affairs and has no intention of influencing Australia’s political process through political contributions,” the editorial said.
This was followed Wednesday with the accusation Western governments were leading a “McCarthyist” witch hunt against overseas Chinese.
Concerns about Chinese infiltration have also been raised by the governments of New Zealand and Germany. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Sadiya Hamza