(Photo: VCG)

China urged Australia to abandon its ‘ideological prejudice’ and provide a fair environment for Chinese enterprises to operate in Australia, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

The Australian government banned China's telecommunication giant Huawei from supplying equipment for its 5G network Thursday. The government said that Australia does not want intervention from foreign countries.

Lu Kang said that China expressed grave concerns over Australia's announcement, accusing Canberra of making "all types of excuses to create hurdles and taking discriminatory measures."

"Cooperation between Chinese and Australian companies is mutually beneficial," said Lu. "Australia should facilitate the cooperation since it conforms to the interests of Chinese companies as well as the interests of Australian companies and consumers. Australia should not set barriers and adopt prejudice."

Lu said that the Chinese government always encourages Chinese firms to cooperate with foreign countries based on international regulations and local laws.