Chinese envoy calls on Australia to stop political games
CGTN
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Chinese Ambassador Cheng Jingye is interviewed by Australian Financial Review political correspondent Andrew Tillet, April 26, 2020. (Photo via Chinese embassy in Australia)

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye has reiterated that Australia's proposal about the independent review of the COVID-19 origin is a political maneuver, and called on Australia to put aside ideological bias, stop political games, and do more to promote the bilateral relations. 

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Frances Adamson called Cheng on Monday over concerns that the inquiry might lead to a boycott by China. 

Cheng flatly rejected the concern expressed from the Australian side over his remarks during a recent interview with Australian Financial Review (AFR) in which he said the Chinese public is frustrated, dismayed, and disappointed with what Australia is doing. 

"I think if the mood is going from bad to worse, people would think why we should go to such a country while it's not so friendly to China. The tourists may have second thoughts. Maybe the parents of the students would also think whether this place, which they find is not so friendly, even hostile, is the best place to send their kids to…maybe the ordinary people will think why they should drink Australian wine or eat Australian beef. Why couldn't we do it differently?"  

"Since it is politically driven, it has got little international support and it will lead to nowhere. This idea, as I see it, is not in your interests. It will not help lift Australia's standing, and it only undermines international cooperation. So we hope, as our ministry's spokesperson said, you should put aside ideological bias and discontinue this kind of political game," Cheng stressed in the interview. 

Adamson defended Australia's proposal about the independent review in the phone call, saying the proposal neither has political motive nor targets China. She also admitted it is not the time to commence the review now and Australia has no details of the proposal. She further said that Australia does not want the matter to have any impact on the Australia-China relationship. 

Cheng clearly explained China's position, stressing that no matter what excuses the Australian side has made, the fact is that the proposal is a political maneuver. Just as the saying goes, "cry up wine and sell vinegar."