China lashes out at Scott Morrison as diplomatic tensions escalate
China has lashed out at Scott Morrison for trying to blame the COVID-19 pandemic on the communist state, warning that any push for an independent inquiry into the virus’ origins will spark a travel and trade boycott of Australia.
As diplomatic tensions escalated Tuesday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued a rebuke to China for leaking confidential details of a private conversation between Australian officials and China over the threats.
But the state-controlled People’s Daily accused the Prime Minister of trying to use the calls for a probe to deflect criticism over his mishandling of the bushfires and the coronavirus crisis.
“The deeply troubled Morrison government is anxious to find an outlet for the domestic public’s anger,” reported the publication.
“They are using an old trick to try and blame China.”
They predicted that the Prime Minister’s request for an independent inquiry would fail, saying France and the United Kingdom would reject it.
“This is a slap on the face which has come quickly,” it wrote.
Global Times, a newspaper run by the state, also slammed Morrison with the headline: “Morrison’s adventurism could damage China-Australia relations beyond repair.
“The Morrison administration is spearheading this malicious campaign to frame and incriminate China with groundless conjecture and outlandish fabrications,” an editorial states.
“Based on unsubstantiated anecdotes and hearsay, Australia has been spreading preposterous lies accusing China of opening wet markets trading in wildlife across the country. Sensational tales, which are far from reality, are being told by media shock jocks and some politicians, who allege that bats are on menus in restaurants in China. This nonsense is stigmatising the Chinese community and the Chinese way of life.
“This is an all-out crusade against China and Chinese culture, led by Australia.”