A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has responded to Mark McGowan’s calls for a “reset” in the China-Australia relationship – telling the Morrison government it should “heed” opinions like the WA premier’s and abandon its “cold war mentality”.
“The Australian government should heed these constructive opinions,” Zhao Lijian said.
“Face up to and reflect on the crux of the setback in bilateral relations, abandon the cold war mentality and ideological bias, earnestly uphold the principle of mutual respect and equal treatment.”
On Tuesday the Western Australian premier called for a more stable relationship with the communist country in order to protect Australia’s trade industry.
“As a country, we can and should have a good relationship with our largest trading partner, China,” Mark McGowan said.
“It’s in our security and economic interest to do so.
“The federal talk of conflict or trade retaliation can and must stop.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell that Australia was working hard towards avoiding a cold war and said it was an outcome he wouldn’t “wish for”.
