Australia has rescinded agreements with China’s Belt and Road initiative, sparking outrage from Beijing and adding to tensions between the two countries.
The provincial government has used the new power to end two deals made between Victoria and China.
‘Provocative’
Canberra has said it is backtracking on agreements to protect Australia’s national interest.
The Chinese ambassador to Australia described the act as “provocative”.
It said Canberra’s action “would definitely damage the relationship between the two countries, and end up hurting itself
“This also shows that the Australian government is not serious about improving relations between China and Australia,” a spokesman said in a statement.
Australia’s National Interest
It is the first time Canberra has used its power to veto deals made by states, local governments or public universities with foreign countries. The laws allow the government to cancel agreements deemed to threaten Australia’s national interest.
In addition to China’s agreements, Foreign Minister Marise Payne also canceled agreements with Iran and Syria. It was a memorandum of understanding closed between the Victoria and Iran sealed between Victoria’s education department and Iran, signed in 2004, and a 1999 scientific cooperation agreement signed with Syria.
Senator Payne said the four agreements “were not in line with Australian foreign policy or contradicting our foreign relations”.
