Australian PM Rejects CCP’s Request to improve Ties

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed a list of conditions from the Chinese Communist Party to improve strained bilateral relations on Monday, UPI reported on July 11.

 CCP laid out four conditions for the two countries to get back on track during the G-20 summit in Bali on Friday, insisting Australia considers the Chinese Communist Party as a partner rather than an adversary.

 Diplomatic relations between Beijing and Canberra have deteriorated in 2020 when the government of then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the international call for further investigation into the origins of COVID-19. In response, CCP restricted imports of Australian coal, barley, wine, beef, and other products.

 In recent years, Australia has accused Communist China of interfering in its elections and launching cyberattacks on government agencies and public institutions. The Australian government decided last year to join the U.S. and Britain in the AUKUS security pact amid growing military competition in the Asia-Pacific region. Canberra has expressed concern over Beijing’s growing military presence in the region, including a recent security agreement with the Solomon Islands.