Australia rejects Chinese 'economic coercion' threat amid planned coronavirus probe

[ansible]

Source: reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has cautioned China against attempts at “economic coercion” as Australia pushes for an investigation into the coronavirus pandemic that China opposes. Chinese ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, said in a newspaper interview on Monday the “Chinese public” could avoid Australian products and universities. Australia last week called for all members of the World Health Organization (WHO) to support an independent review into the origins and spread of the coronavirus, and is lobbying world leaders. China’s foreign ministry has attacked the proposal.

“Maybe the ordinary people will say ‘Why should we drink Australian wine? Eat Australian beef?” Cheng said in the interview published on the front page of The Australian Financial Review. Cheng said it was possible that tourists may have “second thoughts” about visiting Australia.

“The parents of the students would also think ... whether this is the best place to send their kids,” he added. After energy exports, education and tourism are Australia’s biggest export industries, with China the largest market. Payne said in a statement on Monday that Australia had made a “principled call” for an independent review of the COVID-19 outbreak which started in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

“We reject any suggestion that economic coercion is an appropriate response to a call for such an assessment, when what we need is global cooperation,” Payne said. China is the largest export market for Australian wine and beef. During strained diplomatic relations with China in 2018, Australian wine faced import delays in China and some Australian beef exports were also previously suspended for a period.













Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia-china/australia-rejects-chinese-economic-coercion-threat-amid-planned-coronavirus-probe-idUSKCN2290Z6

[mr_lebowski]

1. $5 says IQ45 heard about that and went 'that's a baller move, those guys rock!'

I mean, the sentiment anyway.

Talking about Jyna, of course.

[scarletwoman]

2. Good for Oz - fuck China. (nt)

[Dopers_Greed]

3. Spanky won't do anything to China

He's in debt to them, and wants to make a trade deal to gloat about.

[Devil Child]

4. Fuck China n/t

[rockfordfile]

5. When it comes to their government, I agree

[Thyla]

6. It's hardly a threat...

The average person would welcome a reduction in all those things mentioned in Australia, the politicians and big industry less so.

[Violet_Crumble]

9. I wouldn't miss the Daigou. My friend could finally find formula for her baby...

I would miss my Chinese student who's been with me for over two years, though. I've learnt so much about China and even eaten stuff like Durian that I would never have tried without a bit of prompting.

Regardless, after this all dies down, there does need to be an investigation into how it happened and spread. None of that zany conspiracy theory, bioweapon nonsense, but why wildlife is being sold in markets knowing the risk to humans when a virus crosses from animals to humans. And also, why the authorities in Wuhan punished the people trying to warn everyone about the virus.

[Igel]

7. Apparently an EU report yielded.

Disposed of things the Chinese government found unpleasant.

More protection of delicate sensibilities.

[Hiawatha Pete]

8. Any action from China can't be any worse...

... than the human & economic destruction already wrought upon the world by the pandemic.