Chinese state media journalist did not want to be filmed at Scott Morrison press conference

Bizarre scenes unfolded at a Scott Morrison press conference in Canberra when a member of China’s state media scuffled with a cameraman.

A reporter for China’s Xinhua News Agency took exception to being filmed during Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s press conference at Parliament House.

The reporter from the official state-run press agency for the People’s Republic of China had been listening in to Mr Morrison’s comments about Australia’s next steps in tackling the coronavirus pandemic on Friday afternoon.

Footage captured by SBS shows the reporter, who is wearing a permanent media pass around her neck, reacting when she realises she is being filmed.

She walks up to the camera and puts her hand over it.

“Please don’t,” she says to the camera operator.

Later, she is filmed leaving the Prime Minister’s courtyard on her own.

SBS chief political correspondent Brett Mason reported members of China’s state-run media were “diligently photographing the assembled crowd but not pleased to be photographed themselves”.

Reporters from Chinese state media try to suppress filming of their presence at PM press conference today - clip from @BrettMasonNews report tonight pic.twitter.com/WSs3mIhhKM

— Rashida Yosufzai (@Rashidajourno) June 26, 2020

An Australian official’s press conference was last month hijacked by a Chinese official prompting concerns about China’s increasing reach into Australian politics.

Health Minister Greg Hunt was speaking with mining billionaire Andrew Forrest when China’s consul-general in Victoria, Long Zhou, made an unexpected appearance.

The consul-general used the platform to directly defend China’s conduct during the pandemic, insisting China was “doing everything possible to help Australia”.

“The Chinese Government has released information related to the COVID-19 in open, transparent and responsible manner and we have worked closely with WHO (World Health Organisation) and other countries, including shared experiences in epidemic prevention and control and providing assistance within our capacity,” he said.

“China very much appreciates and thankful to the compassion, support and sympathy of the Australian people to towards the Chinese people in our fight against the virus and vice versa. We are also doing everything possible to help Australia.

A member of the Australian arm of China's state media took exception to being filmed on Friday.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the virus knows no ideology, border or race, and in face of the pandemic the testings of all countries are closely interwoven where we’re all in this together.

“Views have been expressed that the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest crisis faced by mankind since World War II.

“If that is the case, we have no choice but to work together to make the world a safer, more harmonious and a better world.”

Tensions between Australia and China have been heightened since Australia led more than 100 countries in calls for an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus.

China’s propaganda news outlet The Global Times warned the inquiry must be scientific and fair.

“Will China oppose scientific research into the virus’s origin? No, because it is a necessary move to fight COVID-19 in a scientific way and conducive to prevention measures and development of vaccines and medicines,” the editorial in May stated.