A senior Chinese diplomat denies trade disputes are being used to get revenge on Australia after Scott Morrison's high-profile push for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.
Wang Xining - China's deputy head of mission in Australia - fronted the National Press Club on Wednesday amid concerns about the targeting of Australian barley, beef and wine products.
The event's menu - featuring wagyu rump, pearl barley and wine selections from South Australia and Western Australia - appeared to be a subtle recognition of strained diplomatic tensions.
Mr Wang rejected assertions that recent trade disputes were a “coercive” measure taken in retaliation to Australia’s push for a coronavirus investigation.
Deputy Head of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in Australia Wang Xining eats the beef at the National Press Club in Canberra. Source: AAP
“The last thing China wants to do is inflict on others what China suffered, or to bully others as we were bullied,” Mr Wang told the event.
“China does not interfere in Australia’s internal affairs … the diplomatic channels are open (and) our policy towards Australia has never changed.”
Since Mr Morrison first voiced support for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19, relations between Australia and China have been marked by a series of diplomatic flashpoints, including the trade disputes over barley, beef and wine.
China also accused Australia of being an unsafe destination for international students because of incidents of racism linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
The menu at the National Press Club in Canberra, Wednesday. Source: AAP
Repeated attempts by senior Australian government ministers to make phone calls with Chinese counterparts to address these concerns have gone unanswered.
Mr Wang admitted Australia’s push for a coronavirus investigation had hurt Chinese people.
“It hurts the feelings of the Chinese people …all of a sudden there was this shocking proposal from Australia,” he said.
He said Mr Morrison's push for the review had wrongly sought to single out and place blame on China.
“The Australian government never consulted the Chinese government in whatever way before the proposal came out,” he said.
Mr Wang said China wanted to find the origins of the virus and supported a "non-discriminatory" review agreed upon through the World Health Organization.
He also defended his country’s political and economic system of socialism, stating China held no ambition to impose this ideology on other countries.
“We are not trying to turn Australia into the People’s Republic of Australia,” Mr Wang said.
“We’re not asking Hungry Jacks to sell Chinese dumplings.”
China's most recent trade-related action was an investigation into whether Australian winemakers are flooding the country with cut-price products and drowning out local producers.
Mr Morrison on Wednesday rejected any suggestion there had been dumping, pointing out Australian wines were the second most expensive in China.
"Australia will always stand up for its own interests, we will always be very clear what they are and we won't trade them away," Mr Morrison said.
"We will just be very clear and very respectful about how we engage with all nations including China.
"It is in an important relationship, it is an important partnership but it's one that goes both ways and that's how we will always seek to approach it."
With AAP.
