China News Agency, Beijing, December 15 (Reporter Liang Xiaohui) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on the 15th that recently he has repeatedly heard Australia claiming to be a so-called "victim" and constantly insinuating and accusing China. , This is totally confusing and beating up.
China will never accept this.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Wenbin.
A reporter asked questions. The Chinese official media reported today that the customs clearance of Australian coal exports to China is being restricted and that China has officially implemented a ban on Australian coal exports to China.
Can the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide more details?
The report and citing official sources stated that China is relaxing import restrictions on coal from Mongolia, Indonesia and Russia.
What exactly do these restrictions mean?
"I don’t understand what you said, please ask the relevant competent authority. What I want to tell you is that the Chinese competent authority has recently taken relevant measures against some Australian products exported to China in accordance with laws and regulations, which complies with Chinese laws, regulations and international practices. Acting responsibly to China’s domestic industries and consumers.” Wang Wenbin said that recently we have repeatedly heard Australia claiming to be a so-called “victim” and constantly insinuating and accusing China. This is completely confusing.
China will never accept this.
In fact, it is the Australian side that has politicized economic, trade, investment, technology and other issues in recent years, has taken discriminatory measures against Chinese companies in violation of market economy principles and international economic and trade rules, and has gone further and further down the wrong path.
Wang Wenbin listed three facts:
First, since 2018, more than a dozen Chinese investment projects in Australia have been rejected by the Australian side on unwarranted so-called "national security" reasons. These include the acquisition of the Australian Gas Group by the Hong Kong Yangtze River Infrastructure Group and the acquisition of the Australian Lion Dairy by Mengniu Dairy. Infrastructure, agriculture and animal husbandry projects have caused huge losses to Chinese companies.
In March and June of this year, Australia continuously revised its foreign investment law and greatly strengthened the so-called “national security review” of foreign investment. Australia’s own domestic media interpreted it as targeting China and completely deviated from the "China-Australia Free Trade Agreement." Commitment to facilitate the investment of the other party and continuously lower the investment review threshold.
It is precisely because of a series of discriminatory practices that Australia has adopted against Chinese companies that Chinese companies’ investment in Australia has fallen sharply year after year since 2017. Last year, the amount of investment dropped by 85% from 2016.
Second, without any conclusive evidence, Australia took the lead in banning Chinese companies from participating in 5G network construction on the grounds of so-called "national security." It still has not given a reasonable explanation.
Third, as of now, Australia has initiated 106 anti-dumping and countervailing investigations against Chinese products, while China has initiated only 4 anti-dumping and countervailing investigations against Australian products.
Wang Wenbin pointed out that Australia's series of measures that violated market principles and the spirit of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement have disrupted the sound development momentum of China-Australia pragmatic cooperation and have also damaged Australia's own image and reputation.
In contrast, China abides by its commitments and actively fulfills its obligations under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, reducing import tariffs from Australia for six consecutive years from 2015 to 2020. At present, about 95% of Australian imports enjoy zero tariff treatment. .
China has unswervingly expanded its opening up, and its business environment has continued to improve.
At the 3rd China International Import Expo held not long ago, more than 150 companies from Australia participated in the exhibition, ranking among the top in the number of participating countries, demonstrating that Australian companies have full confidence in the prospects of the Chinese market.
Wang Wenbin said that if it is normal communication and cooperation based on mutual respect and abiding by the rules, there is nothing to worry about.
On the contrary, the politicization of normal economic and trade activities does not impose unwarranted restrictions, violates the basic norms of international relations, interferes in other countries' internal affairs, and even provokes differences and confrontations. This is what is truly worrying.
We hope that the Australian side can reflect on itself, keep words and deeds in line, and provide good conditions and atmosphere for practical cooperation between China and Australia in various fields, rather than the opposite.
"I don't understand the situation you mentioned about China's reduction of coal import restrictions on relevant countries. Please refer to the relevant competent authorities." Wang Wenbin said.
(Finish)