China urges PM to remove ‘hurdles’ in relationship over plan to block foreign deals

China’s foreign minister has urged the PM to remove “hurdles” between the countries over plans to block foreign deals.

China has urged the PM to “place no man-made hurdles” between the two countries over his plans to introduce new laws that could rip up Victoria’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian defended the infrastucture deal as in the best interests of both parties at a press conference on Thursday night.

He also implored Scott Morrison not to destroy the relationship with China by interfering with the agreements.

“The successful practices between China and the Victoria State on BRI cooperation have greatly improved the well-being of the two peoples,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

“We hope that the Australian side will view China-Australia cooperation and BRI in an objective and rational way, place no man-made hurdles for normal exchanges and cooperation and work for, not against, mutual trust and mutual benefit between the two sides.”

The Chinese government controlled Global Times echoed a line from China’s deputy ambassador to Australia Wang Xining just 24 hours earlier, who said officials from the two countries should not let cold hearts and dark minds cast a shadow over their partnership.

In May, China accused Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton of “sinister intentions” over his criticism of Victoria’s ties with China.

“The groundless accusations made by some Australian politicians are totally untenable,” Mr Zhao said.

“They only expose their negligence of the Australian people’s interests and their sinister intentions of damaging China-Australia relations.”

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian. Picture: GREG BAKER / AFP.

On Thursday Victorian Premier Dan Andrews sledged the Prime Minister’s threat to tear up the state’s agreements with China by sharply observing he’s more focused on fighting COVID-19.

Rejecting claims that the state’s infrastructure deal with China known as the Belt and Road Initiative was a threat to national security, he challenged the Prime Minister to come up with some alternatives if he planned to scrap the investment.

Mr Andrews’ not-so-subtle gibe at the Prime Minister’s priorities was offered after he revealed he had only been briefed on the proposal last night.

“Well, look, if the Prime Minister has time to be doing those things, that’s fine for him,” Mr Andrews said.

“I don’t. I’m exclusively focused on fighting this virus.”

Mr Andrews added that he hoped the Prime Minister had some alternatives in mind if he planned to stop investment programs so that the state was not left worse off.

“Given the announcements the Prime Minister has made today he will no doubt be able to list the full range of other free trade agreements and other markets that we’ll be sending Victorian products to. I’ll look forward to that,” Mr Andrews said.

“Presumably this approach will include quite soon a very detailed list of alternative trading arrangements, alternative free trade agreements, alternative markets. I’ll leave that to the PM to announce, but presumably that’s coming and coming pretty quickly.”

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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wasn’t keen to hear the PM’s ideas on what his state should be doing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

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The Victorian Premier said he was not prepared to concede that the deals posed a threat to national security.

“No, I would never concede that point. But again foreign affairs is a matter for the Federal Government,’’ he said.

The new test will ask whether or not the proposed arrangements adversely affect Australia’s foreign relations and whether it is inconsistent with Australian foreign policy.

“It’s a clear test. If they’re inconsistent with federal foreign affairs policy, they’ll go,” the Prime Minister said.

If the arrangement fails the test the foreign minister will have powers to stop the state entity from negotiating, entering, remaining in or giving effect to any new arrangements.

But the Prime Minister refused to confirm today he would tear up the Belt and Road Initiative because the “proper process” needed to apply if he went down that path.

“Where any foreign government seeks to undermine the sovereignty of Australia’s foreign policy by seeking to do deals with subnational governments, Australia needs to protect itself from that,” he said.

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Scott Morrison wants to ensure any state initiatives are consistent with Australia’s foreign policy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

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But despite the Victorian Premier’s concerns the legislation is set to sail through with the ALP confirming the legislation is “unremarkable” and it is likely to support it.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he would not support Belt and Road style agreements if he was elected Prime Minister.

“I have expressed my view publicly that a government I lead would not participate in the scheme,” he said.

“We’ll examine the legislation, but the idea that the national interests should be looked after by the federal government when it comes to foreign policy is something that we’re very supportive of.

“I would regard it as completely unremarkable.”