China News Service, Beijing, March 1 (Reporter Zhang Su) In response to research showing that China's direct investment in Australia has fallen off a cliff, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in response to a regular press conference on March 1. The reasons are worthy of serious reflection on the Australian side.
He also pointed out that Australia's practice of politicizing economic and trade issues has caused damage to Australia's own interests and reputation.
A reporter asked. According to reports, on February 28, a study by the Institute of East Asian Economics of the Australian National University showed that China's direct investment in Australia fell by 61% to US$783 million in 2020, a record low in six years.
This is not only affected by the epidemic, but also caused by Australia's strengthening of China's investment review.
What is China's comment.
"The figures you mentioned can well reflect some practical problems in China-Australia relations." Wang Wenbin said that China-Australia economic, trade and investment cooperation is essentially mutually beneficial and win-win.
For a long time, Chinese companies investing in Australia have made great contributions to local economic development and people's livelihood and employment.
He pointed out that in the context of a 3.3% increase in China's foreign direct investment last year, investment in Australia has fallen precipitously. The reasons for this are worthy of serious reflection on the Australian side.
Wang Wenbin said that in recent years, Australia has repeatedly abused "national security" grounds to veto Chinese companies' investment projects in Australia, and has frequently imposed unreasonable restrictions on normal exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, which has seriously affected the confidence of Chinese companies in investing in Australia.
This practice of politicizing economic and trade issues is contrary to the market rules and principles of free competition that Australia has always advertised, and it has also caused damage to Australia's own interests and reputation.
"The Australian government should take measures to provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory investment environment for foreign investors, including Chinese companies, and create convenient conditions for practical cooperation between China and Australia in various fields," he said.
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