Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang (Photo from Foreign Ministry website)
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed claims that China is using “economic coercion” against Australia, after Australia called for an independent review into the origins and spread of COVID-19, which the Chinese Ambassador said could trigger Chinese public dissatisfaction.
“What the ambassador said is that Chinese residents’ dissatisfaction and concerns triggered by false remarks from the Australian side could have a possible impact on bilateral relations. Is there any problem? Where does the so-called ‘economic coercion’ come from?” Geng Shuang, spokesperson of the ministry, said at the Tuesday press conference, rebutting the groundless claims by Australian media.
Geng stressed that China is committed to developing friendly cooperative relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
The response came after Western media claimed China was attempting “economic coercion” in response to Australia pushing for an investigation into the coronavirus pandemic, which was opposed by China as Chinese Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye said in an interview on Monday that the Chinese public could avoid Australian products and universities.
Geng recommended that Western media read the original records of Cheng’s remarks.
Given the overall impact of the pandemic on the world economy, China is ready to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance with other countries to tide over the difficulties and contribute to the health and well-being of mankind, Geng said.
He urged other countries to do things that are conducive to international cooperation and mutual trust, instead of saying one thing but doing another.
Also, Geng criticized Australian media as failing to understand China and the Chinese public comprehensively and thoroughly, in response to an Australian reporter who said he had not heard of Chinese people’s dissatisfaction with his country.
“Did you not hear any of it? Do you want to listen to it? Please check China’s Internet to see what Chinese people say about China-Australia relations,” Geng said.
As the reporter questioned the truth of comments on Chinese social media, Geng replied by asking, “Why do you think Chinese people’s comments on the Internet are untrue? Then who wrote those remarks? Robots? If you didn’t hear it in the real world, it means you haven’t reached far enough into Chinese society.”
According to Reuters, Australia last week called for all members of the World Health Organization to support an independent review into the origins and spread of the coronavirus, and is lobbying world leaders to this end.
On Monday, Ambassador Cheng Jingye took a phone call from Frances Adamson, Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in Australia said that during the phone call, Secretary Adamson tried her best to defend Australia’s proposal for the independent review, saying it had no political motive nor was it targeting China. The spokesperson highlighted the content of their conversation, saying Adamson “also admitted that now is not the time to commence the review and Australia has no details of the proposal.”
According to the spokesperson, Cheng clearly explained China’s position, stressing that no matter what excuses the Australian side makes, the fact cannot be buried that the proposal for an independent review is a political maneuver. “Just as a Western saying goes: Cry up wine and sell vinegar.”
Cheng rejected the concerns expressed from the Australian side over his remarks in a recent interview with the Australian Financial Review, and called on Australia to put aside ideological bias, stop political games and do more to promote bilateral relations.
Global Times
