Chinese ambassador issues trade warning over Port Darwin
China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has warned of retaliation if the federal government forces the Chinese owners of Port Darwin to sell to Australian hands.
What we know:
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Speaking at his annual press conference in Canberra, Xiao said trade and investment ties between China and Australia would suffer if the forced sale were to occur (AFR).
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“The Chinese government has [an] obligation to protect the legitimate interests of Chinese companies overseas, Xiao said. “So if anything happens like the port will be taken back by … forceful measures, then we have an obligation to take measures to protect the Chinese company’s interests.”
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Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Coalition promised to terminate Chinese company Landbridge’s 99-year lease of the port at the 2025 federal election, but no deal or timeline has since been finalised (ABC).
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At the press conference, Xiao downplayed last year’s deployments of Chinese People’s Liberation Army navy to waters around Australia, calling it a “coincidence” and “it has nothing to do with Australia” (The Guardian).
- Xiao also reiterated China’s position on its need to reunify with self-governing Taiwan, saying there was “no room for compromise” (SMH).
