With most polls showing Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s conservative coalition to have lost the May 21 election, it has sought to highlight its national security criteria.
Str | AFP | beautiful pictures
Australia’s prime minister on Saturday accused China of “form”, or a profile, of meddling in foreign politics, after his Home Secretary said Beijing announces security deal with nearby Solomon Islands was timed to influence an election.
With most polls showing Scott Morrison’s conservative coalition a failure in the May 21 election, they sought to highlight their national security criteria, such as how to proceed. tough approach to China.
“We are very well aware of the influence the Chinese government is trying to have in this country,” Morrison told reporters in Tasmania. “There is a form of foreign interference in Australia.”
He was responding to a question about evidence for Home Secretary Karen Andrews’ radio claim that the timing of China’s recent disclosure of its Solomons deal was a form of foreign interference in the election. Australian election.
China said the treaty was not aimed at any third parties and called on Australia to “respect the sovereign and independent choices of China and the Solomons.”
News of the security pact with the Pacific nation has raised concerns about the prospect of a Chinese military presence less than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) off the coast of Australia, scuttling Australia’s national security efforts. Morrison’s coalition became ill-advised.
After Australia’s opposition Labor party this week called the deal a national security failure for Canberra, Morrison’s government took a hard line on its remarks.
He cited the ban on foreign political donations and the register of foreign representatives, saying, “Any suggestion that the Chinese government isn’t looking to interfere in Australia, we don’t make that law without it.” for no reason.”
In the Solomon Islands a day earlier, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced to parliament that the country would not engage in any militarization of the Pacific Ocean and signed an agreement with China for a treaty. security with Australia is not appropriate.
