May 6, 2021
1 min read

Beijing strikes back at Australia

The retaliation comes shortly after the Australian government suspended two Belt and Road Initiative pacts with China…reports Asian Lite News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYlp-fARSuY

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Thursday that it would suspend all activities under the China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue framework set up in 2014, while accusing Canberra of a “Cold War mindset”.

The move comes shortly after the Australian government scrapped two Belt and Road Initiative agreements with China, reports dpa news agency.

In a statement, the NDRC said its decision was based on the “current attitude” of the Australian government.

“Recently, some Australian Commonwealth Government officials launched a series of measures to disrupt the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia out of Cold War mindset and ideological discrimination,” the statement said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Also read:

China is Australia’s largest trading partner.

The two countries have been locked in a trade dispute that escalated last year and saw China hit Australian wine, beef, barley and coal with trade tariffs and customs delays.

However, it is unclear whether the most recent move will have any practical effect.

Beijing was already refusing high-level meetings, according to Australian newswire AAP.

The last time both sides met under the economic dialogue was in September 2017.

Analyst Jeffrey Wilson from the Perth USAsia Centre told Australian broadcaster ABC the suspension would have “zero substantive effect” because Beijing has already placed sanctions so widely on Australian exporters over the last year.

“By going thermonuclear in 2020, China now has no substantive forms of leverage over Australia, and has to resort to largely meaningless acts of symbolism,” Wilson said.

Also read:Citizen journalists suffer the worse in China

Previous Story

Must watch ‘art’ in Philadelphia

Next Story

Living is Giving

Latest from -Top News

Industry Hails India-UK FTA

£34 billion boost, sweeping tariff cuts and market access mark UK’s most ambitious post-Brexit trade pact; Indian sectors set for exports surge…reports Asian Lite News Business leaders from both India and the

India, UK Sign Landmark FTA

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark moment for India-UK

Farmers Win Big in India-UK FTA

There is a massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods compared with up to 70 per cent earlier….reports Asian Lite News The India-UK Free Trade Agreement

Modi-Starmer Meet Ahead of FTA Signing

During the discussions, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Keir Starmer at the

Hindu Temple Vandalised in Melbourne

Confirming the incident, Victoria Police mentioned they are investigating “four linked incidents in Boronia,” including the temple and two restaurants….reports Asian Lite News In a deeply disturbing incident of racial violence, a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Chinese cops stop Tesla cars on specific routes in Sichuan

It is to be noted that the police took these

Tariff wars produce no winners, says China 

Trump reflected on his past negotiations with Beijing, claiming he