Chinese return fire on Nazi jibe

CHINA has warned comments by a Federal Government backbencher comparing the nation’s rise with Nazi Germany are detrimental to diplomatic relations.

Andrew Hastie, chairman of parliament’s security and intelligence committee, says Australia will over the next decade face its biggest democratic, economic and security test as China and the US compete for global dominance.

The West Australian MP has warned against underestimating China, pointing to the experience of Europe in the face of an aggressive Nazi regime in the 1940s.

But China says its “peaceful development is an opportunity, not a threat to the world”.

“We strongly deplore the Australian federal MP Andrew Hastie’s rhetoric on ‘ China threat’ which lays bare his Cold War mentality and ideological bias,” a Chinese embassy spokesman said yesterday.

“It goes against the world trend of peace, co-operation and development. It is detrimental to China-Australian relations.”

When asked about risks posed by China, the soon-to-be boss of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Mike Burgess said the threat of foreign interference and espionage was “very real, very serious”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has downplayed Mr Hastie’s remarks, saying he did not think it would damage Australia’s relationship with China.

“He’s entirely entitled to provide his perspective,” the Liberal leader said of his backbencher, who is a former SAS soldier.

Mr Morrison says Australia will continue to manage its relationships with China and the US, saying the benefits were more than economic.

But he also hinted the Federal Government was taking steps to limit China’s increasing presence in the Pacific.