Virus, spies and wine: Australia-China relations in freefall
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How it all started
Tensions between Australia and China have soared in 2020. With charges of spying, calling for a probe into the origins of coronavirus, and now the recent anti-dumping measures on wine, here is a brief look into how the dispute started.
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US lapdog?
In April, Australia joined the US in calling for an investigation into how the coronavirus created a global pandemic emerging from central China. Beijing saw the call by Canberra as a move backed by the US and warned the move as one that would lead to a boycott of Australian wine and tourism.
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Growing rift
China then imposed a slew of bans in retaliation which left Australian exports vulnerable. Suspension of imports from Australian beef suppliers and barley has only widened the rift, as the nation is now also calling for a boycott of Australian wine.
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Detaining citizens
The back and forth between the countries over detention of high-profile Australian citizens by China has also been to no end. While Australia has called China's treatment of their citizens "unacceptable", Beijing has accused Canberra of raiding its journalists' homes as part of an investigation.
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Laundry list
In November, China released a list of complaints about Australia, including the ban on Huawei's involvement in the country's 5G network. Australian PM Scott Morrison then decried the pressure from Beijing, and rejected the claim that Australia is US's lapdog.
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No impact
Oz has accused China of violating its commitment on Hong Kong but the international pressure on the Asian giant has only provoked a terse response.