China has summoned the Australian ambassador as ties between the two nations become strained over Beijing’s alleged “influence” in Australian domestic affairs.
C hina has summoned the Australian ambassador as ties between the two nations become strained over Beijing’s alleged “influence” in Australian domestic affairs.
China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that ambassador Jan Adams met with officials for an “important dialogue”.
«The Australian side is very clear with our position on bilateral relations and the relevant issue,» foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular news briefing in Beijing,
The spokesman did say when the meeting took place, although Australian media said it happened last Friday.
It came days after Australia proposed new laws on foreign meddling, with prime minister Malcolm Turnbull citing «disturbing reports of Chinese influence» as he unveiled the plans.
Mr Turnbull said that foreign powers were making “unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated attempts to influence the political process” in Australia and the world.
