Australia passes the power of veto over foreign agreements amid tensions with China

On Thursday, Australia’s parliament approves a legislature that provides the federal government power to veto any agreement that is brought about by any foreign states. Surely this move will outrage China and further intensify relations between the two nations.

A tweet brought about bitterness in China and Australia relations this week, however, it’s the newest addition in harsh strife between the two countries that has been heightening for years.

The latest controversy broke on Monday when Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian posted an altered image on Twitter that showed an Australian soldier holding a knife to the neck of an Afghan kid.

It was a clear reference to the recent allegations that Australian soldiers had done war crimes.

The tweet was slammed by the Australian government, with PM Scott Morrison saying the post was repugnant and demanding an apology from China.

The law permits the Commonwealth to impede any understanding between Australian states, chambers, or foundations and a foreign government, for example, a 2018 agreement between Victoria and Beijing.

“Australia’s plans and the measures that we take for our nation are made here in Australia as per our requirements and our inclinations,” PM Scott Morrison stated.

Australia’s new law is not aimed at any nation however it is broadly observed by critics as directed at China.

As per the new law, the foreign minister can veto any deal with foreign powers if they unfavorably affect Australia’s foreign relationships.

The Belt and Road Initiative, which Morrison stated that debilitates the regime’s ability to manage international policy.

Morrison also declined to remark on whether that course of action would be vetoed. Australia and China relations have soured since Morrison urged for an independent international investigation concerning the origin of the Covid pandemic.

Beijing is also angered by the blocking of the recent agricultural deal by Canberra. It is stopping Chinese tech company Huawei Technologies Co. from its 5G network.

China has also put a heavy tariff on billions of dollars worth of Australian goods from meat, grain, coal, and cotton to lobster, wine, and lumber, which has worsened the bilateral relations.

The dilemmas which troubled Australia-China relations during 1996 were a sign of the sensitive nature of the relationship. Especially the relationship between both nations will be heavily impacted by the development of US-China relations during the Clinton regime.

However, critics say we will have to wait and see if the Australian exporters will be able to adapt to the current situations. Moreover, how long will Beijing beat Australia’s economy with tariffs, and to what degree will Canberra be able to resist China’s continuous pressure?