China summons Australia’s ambassador over meddling allegations

The strained diplomatic relationship between Australia and China witnessed a new turn over Canberra’s allegation that Beijing had sought to interfere in Australian politics.

Reports say China summoned Australia’s ambassador to lodge a complaint over the allegation and the move is coming weeks after Canberra said it would ban foreign political donations to Beijing as part of a crackdown aimed at preventing external influence.

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Singling out China, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said foreign powers were making “unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated attempts to influence the political process” in Australia.

However, Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Turnbull’s allegations were full of prejudice against China, baseless and poisoned the atmosphere of China-Australia relations.

Australia’s opposition Labor Party has also criticised Turnbull’s allegations as showing an “anti-China” bias that could jeopardise bilateral trade.

 

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