Australia PM Slams China for Easing Trade Restrictions on Russia
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday described as unacceptable, China’s decision to ease restrictions on Russia’s wheat imports at a time when the Russian military operation in Ukraine is underway.
Morrison expressed this thought at a news conference.
Earlier on Thursday, China’s General Administration of Customs said it had approved imports of wheat from all over Russia.
“At a time when the world was seeking to put additional sanctions on Russia, they have eased restrictions on trade of Russian wheat into China.
“When Australia, together with the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, and Japan are acting to cut off Russia, the Chinese government is following through on easing trade restrictions with Russia, and that is simply unacceptable,’’ Morrison said.
In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Australia had upheld “a cold war mentality and ideological prejudices’’ and advanced false accusations against Beijing, which China finds to be irresponsible and shameful actions.
“China’s position on the Ukrainian issue is consistent and clear.
“At the same time, China and Russia are developing normal trade cooperation based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit,’’ ministerial spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a briefing.
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Russian and Chinese presidents, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, respectively, met in Beijing on Feb. 4, for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
After the meeting, Moscow and Beijing adopted bilateral agreements expanding the list and volume of grain supplied from Russia to China.
In particular, they allowed for wheat and barley to be supplied to China from all over Russia.
In the early hours on Thursday, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk requested assistance.
The move prompted backlash from the West, which has intensified sanction policies against Russia.
Australia PM Slams China for Easing Trade Restrictions on Russia
