China Slams Australia Over Safe Haven Offer

China warned on Thursday that it reserves the right to take further action in response to Australia suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and offering safe haven to thousands of people from the SAR.

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters during a daily briefing that Beijing urged Australia to change course and stop interfering in China's affairs.

Earlier the Chinese embassy in Canberra too slammed the Scott Morrison government's move as "gross interference" in its affairs.

"China strongly deplores and opposes the groundless accusations and measures announced by the Australian government with regard to Hong Kong," said a statement from a spokesperson at China's embassy in Canberra.

"We urge the Australian side to immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs under any pretext or in any way," the embassy said. "Otherwise it will lead to nothing but lifting a rock only to hit its own feet."

This came after Morrison said his government will offer pathways to permanent residency for thousands of people from Hong Kong over the implementation of a new security law.

The move echoed Australia's response to the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown when Canberra offered refuge to thousands of Chinese students and their families.

China, Australia's biggest trade partner and a competitor for influence in the Pacific, was notably infuriated when Canberra led calls for a probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Beijing in recent months has imposed tariffs on some Australian imports and impeded trade in other key commodities in response to Australian steps to counter Chinese interference in the country. (AFP, Reuters)