The shadow immigration minister has responded to suggestions from China that its former chief and then Prime Minister Scott Morrison was to blame for the deteriorating relationship between Beijing and Canberra.
Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan warned that it is “very worrying” that Beijing has issued demands to repair the strained China-Australia relationship.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Morrison’s former government was the “root cause” of the bilateral rupture after his “irresponsible” words against China.
“The root of the difficulties in bilateral relations in recent years was the insistence of the former Australian government to view China as a rival or even a threat, allowing its words and deeds to be irresponsible against China. “, he said.
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Tehan, who served as Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment under Scott Morrison, was put on Sky News Australia if he accepted Beijing’s statements.
“Australia’s position has always been very clear under the previous government,” he told First Edition presenter Peter Stefanovic on Monday.
“We wanted a constructive commitment, but we would not do anything that would affect our sovereignty when it came to this constructive commitment.”
But he was shy when asked if he believed the Coalition was the “root cause” of the collapsed association.
“We’ve always said that Australia hasn’t changed, that the Chinese government has changed,” Tehan added.
The shadow immigration minister acknowledged the “positive” nature of the meeting between Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, but argued that it was “benchmark” that Beijing had issued demands.
The Chinese Foreign Minister set out four demands in Australia in the hope that he would “seize the opportunity” to improve their strained relationship.
In a statement, the ministry stated that Australia should treat China as a partner and not as an adversary. Second, you must adhere to a path of finding common ground while observing the differences.
Third, it wants Australia to adhere to not target or seek to control third parties and the fourth is to build a positive and pragmatic public opinion base.
Tehan, in particular, pointed to the latest observation as “very worrying words and noises” from the Chinese government.
He also noted that China’s restart in diplomatic talks showed the intention to rebuild the relationship, but believes his words and actions “do not seem to show willingness” to participate and collaborate with Canberra.
“It is still worrying that we have existing trade sanctions affecting Australian industry, farmers and small businesses,” Tehan said of sanctions on the export of products such as beef and wine, after Mr. Morrison led the calls for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.
“It is worrying that we have two Australians arrested,” he added in reference to Australian-Chinese journalist Cheng Lei and Australian writer Dr Yan Hengjun jailed.
“It is worrying that the Australian Minister of Commerce sought a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Geneva and this was rejected,” Tehan said.
“We still have a number of steps to take to get the relationship back on track.”
Stefanovic then asked if Australia should accept any of the points of action to which he simply gave a stern answer.
“No,” said Mr. Tehan.
“What Australia needs to do is make sure it is very clear that we will protect our sovereignty and our national interest, and we will continue to do what is in our national interest.”
He argued that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will have to continue with the same strategic policy outlined by the previous Morrison and Turnbull governments.
“It’s a strategy that has had international support in the approach we’ve taken. That’s the best way to get the best kind of constructive engagement with China,” he said.