Beijing ‘provoked’ by Aussie axing of Belt and Road deal but slams internal meddling

China’s condemnation of Australia’s decision to axe the Belt and Road agreement between Beijing and Victoria does not align with the Asian superpowers rhetoric when it comes to international meddling in its own internal matters. Recently President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Boao Forum warning nations against meddling with the internal affairs of other countries or “bossing others around” according to Liberal MP Dave Sharma. Speaking of the Belt and Road deal, Mr Sharma said “well this is supremely an internal affair for Australia". “Just as China would be within their rights as a national government in Beijing if one of their provinces was going around cutting arrangements with another country which Beijing did not support or approve, Australia is entirely within our sovereign rights to do this." He said the “sovereign equality of nations” must be upheld and Australia’s decision should not have “generated any blowback” from China. However, the decision to terminate the Belt and Road deal is is expected to further escalate tensions between Canberra and Beijing - with the Chinese Embassy in Australia labelling the move “unreasonable” and “provocative”. “It further shows that the Australian Government has no sincerity in improving China-Australia relations. It is bound to bring further damage to bilateral relations, and will only end up hurting itself," the embassy said.

from Latest World News Headlines | Daily Telegraph https://ift.tt/3tSLL2A