According to Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post", former Prime Minister Paul Keating of the Australian Labor Party criticized Australia's current China policy at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. Keating accused Australia of "buying American hegemony in the region" and warned that Southeast Asian countries were reluctant to follow the United States in containing China.
The report pointed out that Keating stressed that Southeast Asian countries have not succumbed to the United States' efforts to contain China, and he also referred to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's remarks, saying that the United States, Europe and Australia should not impose their own China policies on Malaysia.
Keating's remarks are considered a harsh criticism of Australia, in which he accuses the Australian intelligence agencies of interfering in the country's foreign affairs and completely disdains the steady progress of Australia-China relations. At the same time, Australia's announcement of measures to strengthen business ties with Southeast Asia has aroused concern about Australia's policy towards China.
The report also mentioned that Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles said that although this meeting will discuss China as part of the global pattern, it is not a meeting about China.
Mao Ning, spokesperson of China, said that in recent years, China-Australia relations have returned to the track of sound and stable development, and China is willing to strengthen exchanges with Australia, enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation.
This series of remarks shows the complexity and sensitivity of Australia's relationship with China, and also arouses the international community's attention and reflection on Australia's China policy.
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