 Et tu Australia? Chinese envoy angered over virus probe call Sydney (AFP) Aug 26, 2020 - Australia betrayed China with calls for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, a Beijing envoy said Wednesday, likening the moves to Brutus plotting against Julius Caesar. Wang Xining, the Chinese embassy's deputy head of mission, made the remarks in a rare public address as he spoke of the "indignation, anger and frustration" felt by China at Australia's push for a global inquiry. "It is approximately identical to Julius Caesar in his final days when he saw Brutus approaching him," Wang said. The virus was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, and has gone on to kill more than 800,000 people around the world. China insists the source of the virus remains unknown, a position Wang repeated on Wednesday. But China reacted with fury when Australia led calls in April for the independent probe into the virus. Beijing subsequently imposed tariffs on Australian goods and warned Chinese tourists and students against visiting the country, citing alleged racial harassment against Asians. Expanding on Beijing's reaction, Wang said Australia had "singled out" China in its call for an inquiry and had not given any notice of its plans. "All of a sudden, they (the world) heard this shocking news of a proposal coming from Australia, which is supposed to be a good friend of China," he said. Wang said Australia had "hurt the feelings" of China's 1.4 billion people with its actions. Nevertheless, Wang said, subsequent China's trade action against Australia's lucrative beef, wine and barley industries was not a retaliation, but rather due to "technical issues". The two countries were already at loggerheads when Canberra called for the virus probe. Beijing was riled by Australia's anti-dumping levies on its aluminium and steel, as well as by Canberra's decision to ban controversial telecoms giant Huawei from building Australia's 5G network. Canberra, meanwhile, had protested China's arrest of Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun on spying allegations. Australia has also issued repeated warnings about Chinese interference in the country, and formally rejected Beijing's territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. Dave Sharma, an Australian ambassador-turned-lawmaker, expressed incredulity at Wang's remarks. "Hurt feelings??" he tweeted. "At latest count, COVID-19 has killed 800,000 people worldwide and caused economic disruption on a scale not seen since the Great Depression." "If getting to the bottom of what caused this generates some 'hurt feelings', I think that is the least of our concerns." In May, World Health Organization member states -- including China and Australia -- backed a European Union resolution for an "impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the international response to the pandemic.
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Australia's federal government will unveil new powers Thursday to scrap deals between state authorities and foreign countries that threaten the national interest, a move which could target several controversial agreements with China.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants to stop state and local administrations from entering or remaining in accords that are deemed counter to national foreign policy objectives.
"It is vital that when it comes to Australia's dealings with the rest of the world we speak with one voice and work to one plan," Morrison said announcing the legislation.
"Where any of these agreements undermine how the federal government is protecting and promoting our national interests they can (be) cancelled."
The new powers, which still require parliamentary approval, will also cover publicly funded universities.
The government plans to introduce the new bill to parliament next week with the aim of passing it by the end of this year.
Though the move does not specifically target Beijing, there is growing unease in Australia that China has sought to "divide and conquer" by gaining influence at local and regional levels, creating an effective pro-China lobby.
The new rules are certain to reignite controversy over the southern state of Victoria's decision to sign up to the "Belt and Road Initiative" -- a vast network of investments that critics say is cover for Beijing creating geopolitical and financial leverage.
Canberra has already taken steps to limit China's influence in the country, including by banning controversial telecoms giant Huawei from building Australia's 5G network and tightening foreign investment laws for corporations.
Under the new proposal, dozens of long-standing deals could come under scrutiny.
All official bodies would be required to take stock of their existing arrangements with foreign governments -- on everything from culture and tourism to health and education -- for approval.
Among those expected to be studied closely is the Confucius Institute at the University of Queensland, where the campus has become a flashpoint for accusations of foreign meddling in higher education.
Under Australia's constitution, the federal government is responsible for foreign affairs and defence. States typically deliver services such as health and education but in reality there is frequent overlap.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne, who would have the final say on which agreements could go ahead, said the new laws would "ensure they are consistent with our national interest and our values".
"It is vital for Australia's prosperity, security and sovereignty that our foreign policy is driven by our national interest," she said.
The announcement comes at a time of deteriorating relations between Beijing and Canberra, with the two governments at loggerheads over trade and competing for influence in the Pacific.
Tensions peaked in April when Australia infuriated China by calling for an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, which emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
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