Foreign Office: Recently, it has been repeatedly heard that Australia views itself as an alleged “victim”, and China will never accept it.

Original title: Foreign Office: Australia has been repeatedly heard recently as a so-called “victim”, and China will never accept this.

Summary

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores: Recientemente se ha escuchado en repetidas ocasiones que Australia afirma ser una supuesta “víctima”. La parte china nunca aceptará esto]The Chinese authorities have recently taken relevant action against some Australian products exported to China in accordance with laws and regulations. This is in line with Chinese international laws, regulations and practices, and it is also correct. Responsible behavior of Chinese domestic industries and consumers. Recently, we have repeatedly heard Australia claim that it is an alleged “victim” and constantly hint and accuse China. This is completely confusing and hitting. China will never accept this. Indeed, it is the Australian side that has politicized economic, trade, investment and technological issues in recent years, adopting discriminatory measures against Chinese companies in violation of the principles of the market economy and economic and commercial rules. international, and has gone further and further down the wrong path. (People’s diary)

On December 15, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin chaired a regular press conference.

Question: Chinese official media reported today that customs clearance of Australian coal exported to China is being restricted and that China has officially imposed a ban on Australian coal exported to China. Can the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide more details? According to the report and citing official sources, China is relaxing restrictions on the import of coal from Mongolia, Indonesia and Russia. What exactly do these restrictions mean?

Wang Wenbin: I do not understand what he said, ask the appropriate competent authority. What I want to tell you is that the competent Chinese authorities have recently taken relevant action against some Australian products exported to China in accordance with laws and regulations, which are in line with Chinese international laws, regulations and practices, and are also responsible for the Chinese domestic industries and consumers. Recently, we have repeatedly heard Australia claim that it is an alleged “victim” and constantly insinuate and accuse China. This is completely confusing and hitting. China will never accept this. Indeed, it is the Australian side that has politicized economic, trade, investment and technological issues in recent years, adopting discriminatory measures against Chinese companies in violation of the principles of the market economy and economic and commercial rules. international, and has gone further and further down the wrong path. I want to give you three facts:

First, since 2018, the Australian side has rejected more than a dozen Chinese investment projects in Australia on so-called “national security” grounds, including Hong Kong.Yangtze River Infrastructure GroupAcquired Australia Gas Group,Mengniu DairyThe purchase of dairy products from Australian Lions and other infrastructure, agriculture and livestock projects has caused huge losses to Chinese companies. In March and June of this year, Australia continuously revised its foreign investment law and greatly strengthened the so-called “national security review” of foreign investment. Australia’s own national media interpreted it as targeting China and completely deviated from the “China-Australia Free Trade Agreement”. Commitment to facilitate the other party’s investment and continually lower the investment review threshold. It is precisely because of Australia’s series of discriminatory practices against Chinese companies that investment by Chinese companies in Australia has fallen dramatically year on year since 2017. Last year, the amount of investment fell by 85% compared to 2016.

Second, without any conclusive evidence, Australia took the initiative to ban Chinese companies from participating in the construction of 5G networks on the grounds of so-called “national security.” He has not yet given a reasonable explanation.

Third, Australia has so far initiated 106 anti-dumping and countervailing investigations against Chinese products, while China has initiated only 4 anti-dumping and countervailing investigations against Australian products.

A series of Australian measures that violate market principles and the spirit of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement have disrupted the strong development momentum of China-Australia pragmatic cooperation and have also damaged Australia’s own image and reputation. By contrast, China is honoring its commitments and actively fulfilling its obligations under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, reducing Australia’s import tariffs for six consecutive years from 2015 to 2020. Currently, about 95% of the Australian imports enjoy zero tariff treatment. . China has steadily expanded its openness and its business environment has continued to improve. At the III China International Import Expo held not long ago, more than 150 Australian companies participated in the exhibition, ranking among the first in number of participating countries, demonstrating that Australian companies have full confidence in the prospects of the Chinese market .

What I want to tell you is that if it is a normal interaction and cooperation based on mutual respect and adherence to the rules, there is nothing to worry about. On the contrary, the politicization of normal economic and commercial activities does not impose unreasonable restrictions, violates the basic norms of international relations, interferes in the internal affairs of other countries and even causes differences and confrontations, that is what is truly worrying. We hope that the Australian side can reflect on itself, keep words and deeds in line, and provide good conditions and an environment for practical cooperation between China and Australia in various fields, rather than the other way around.

Regarding the situation that you mentioned that China has lowered the restrictions on the import of coal in the relevant countries, I am not aware of it. Consult the relevant competent authorities.

(Source: People’s Daily Client)

(Responsible editor: DF075)