Chinese official fires back at the Telegraph for reports on email sent to NSW MPs
The Chinese government has hit out at The Daily Telegraph for having the temerity to report its Consulate-General in Sydney was bullying Australian MPs for attending a pro-Taiwan event.
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The Chinese government has turned its heat on The Daily Telegraph for having the temerity to report its Consulate-General in Sydney was bullying Australian MPs for attending a pro-Taiwan event.
Responding to questions about why the Consulate-General thought it was appropriate to tell Australian politicians what events they should attend – after this masthead revealed NSW MPs had received an email rebuking them for attending a gala dinner to mark the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president- the office criticised The Daily Telegraph for failing to reiterate Beijing’s view that Taiwan is a province of China.
“The Chinese Government’s position on the Taiwan question is fully grounded in historical facts and international laws. This Consulate-General states its views based on facts, respecting history and laws,” the statement said.
It came after the Telegraph obtained an explosive email sent to 10 state and one federal MP after they attended an event in Sydney to mark the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te last week.
The statement – which was sent by an unnamed official – said that “parliamentarians’ attendance at the event … is clearly inconsistent with the Australian side’s one-China principle commitment, sending the wrong signal to the outside world”.
“This Consulate-General regrets to see that your news report merely focuses on the reactions of relevant MPs. However, their comments and remarks exactly mirror their violation to the one-China principle and intention to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” the statement read.
“The report also lacks a comprehensive and objective view of the historical background and legal facts of the Taiwan question, and misinterprets the original intention of this Consulate-General in sending the email.”
“It is hoped that in the future you can conduct news reporting with a professional, objective, fair and responsible attitude and principle.”
The original email sent to 10 state MPs and one federal MP was criticised as “intimidatory” by analyst Michael Shoebridge.
A spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said politicians “are free to attend local events, as you would expect in a democracy.”
It is not the first time the Chinese consulate has attempted to chastise this masthead.
In 2020, the Consulate-General sent a series of emails to The Daily Telegraph for reporting the coronavirus epidemic had originated in China, accusing this masthead of “ignorance, prejudice and arrogance”.
The 10-point letter to The Daily Telegraph asked: “What is the real motive behind your attempt to repeatedly link the virus to China?”
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