Aussie opposed for HK moves

Provocative acts would further damage relations

China deplores and opposes the groundless accusations made by the Australian government on the Hong Kong issue, calling it a violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations and gross interference in China’s internal affairs.

Following Canada, Australia has suspended its extradition agreement with China’s Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) and will offer visa extensions and a pathway to permanent residence to Hongkongers in Australia.

China strongly deplores and opposes the groundless accusations and measures announced by the Australian government with regard to Hong Kong, which is a serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, the Chinese Embassy in Australia said on its official website.

Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs, the embassy said, accusing Australia of hypocrisy and double standards, said the embassy.

“The Chinese side does not buy such tricks. We strongly condemn it and reserve the right to make a further response. All the consequences arising there from will be borne entirely by the Australian side,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday at a press conference.

Zhao stressed that any attempt to pressure China will never succeed and urged the Australian side to stop the moves so as to avoid further damage to China-Australia relations.

Australia also issued a travel advisory on Thursday, saying “Do not travel to Hong Kong” in response to China’s newly-passed national security law for the HKSAR, according to the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Morrison administration’s recklessness in handling issues related to Hong Kong indicates Canberra’s increasingly erratic China policy, said Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at the East China Normal University in Shanghai.

“Time and again, the LiberalNational Coalition government has been provocative in wreaking more damage on the bilateral relationship, which could further deteriorate beyond repair,” said Chen.

Observers said the China-Australia relationship is currently at its lowest point in the past two decades.