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Updated May 6th, 2021 at 19:39 IST

Australia opposition on China dialogue suspension

China's decision to suspend an economic dialogue with Australia is "regrettable", Australian opposition leader Anthony Albanese said Thursday.

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China's decision to suspend an economic dialogue with Australia is "regrettable", Australian opposition leader Anthony Albanese said Thursday.

Beijing's move steps up a pressure campaign that began over Australian support for a probe of the coronavirus and has disrupted exports to China, which is Australia's biggest foreign market.

"This is unfortunate," Albanese said. "We do need dialogue with China. It can't be just on their terms, though."

Relations have plunged to a multi-decade low since Beijing blocked imports of Australian coal, wheat and other goods over the past year.

But it has failed to force Prime Minister Scott Morrison's government to offer concessions.

The Chinese government accused Australia of taking steps "to disrupt normal exchanges" due to a "Cold War mindset and ideological discrimination."

China's relations with Australia, India and some other neighbors are increasingly strained by the ruling Communist Party's assertiveness abroad, including claims to disputed territory and accusations Beijing tries to influence politics in Australia and other Western democracies.

Beijing blocked imports of most Australian goods last year after Canberra called for an investigation into the coronavirus, which emerged in central China in late 2019.

China is Australia's No. 1 foreign market, but the sanctions impact has been limited because Chinese steel mills still buy Australian iron ore, the country's most valuable export.

 

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Published May 6th, 2021 at 19:38 IST

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