Australia tells China to demonstrate commitment to global peace

Australia’s Prime Minister has just delivered a lengthy foreign policy speech in Sydney 

Australia’s Prime Minister has just delivered a lengthy foreign policy speech in Sydney where he pointedly singled out China and its response so far to Russia’s invasion, Qazet.az reports.

“The world has heard China’s words about its commitment to global peace and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity for a long time now. It is up to China, at this hinge point of history, to demonstrate these are more than just words,” Scott Morrison said.

The early signs were "not good”, he said, pointing out Xi and Putin’s meeting at the Winter Olympics, China’s support for Russian wheat exports, and Beijing’s language which “pretended to… even a ‘legitimate’ cause for Russia to invade Ukraine.”

“No country would have a greater impact on Russia than China joining the rest of the world in denouncing Russia’s aggression and applying the same sanctions. So far they have not.”

Relations between China and Australia have dived in recent years as Canberra has vocalised concerns about Beijing’s alleged interference in domestic politics and affairs – something China denies.

Australia was working with other like-minded countries to punish Russia, noting: “This is important because we know that there are powerful actors in our region who are watching closely, looking for signs of weakness and division within the West.”

He thanked allies Japan, South Korea and Singapore for their sanctions on Russia – calling it a “welcome testimony to international solidarity in our region”.

China's response to this crisis has been closely scrutinised.