New legislation in Australia aimed at curbing foreign interference in domestic affairs may be a sign of growing anxiety about China’s political influence in the country, but officials said it will not jeopardise a planned business event between the two nations.
“The timing of the next Australia Week in China is being discussed between the Australian and Chinese governments,” a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra said.
The department also dismissed reports that Beijing had turned down visas for travelling officials.
“No visas have been rejected for Australian ministers to travel to China,” the spokesman said. Beijing earlier called the allegations “nonsensensical”.
China’s foreign ministry on Thursday described accusations of Chinese interference in Australia as “totally groundless” ahead of the expected passing of the proposed national security law.
The statement came after Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull admitted bilateral relations had been strained.
“There has certainly been a degree of tension in the relationship that has arisen because of criticism in China about our foreign interference laws,” he said in an interview on Melbourne radio station 3AW…