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'Will not be intimidated by threats': Australian PM to China

'Will not be intimidated by threats': Australian PM to China

Scott Morrison

Australian PM Scott Morrison warned China on Thursday saying his government would "never be intimidated by threats" after Beijing asked its students and tourists to avoid travelling to the country.

China in recent days has advised Chinese to avoid travelling to Australia, citing concerns over racists incidents in the country targetting ethnic Asians.

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The Australian prime minister rejected Beijing's accusations on Thursday, calling them "rubbish".

"It's a ridiculous assertion and it's rejected," Morrison said in a radio interview.

"We have an important trading relationship with China and I'd like to see that continue."

However, he added that the Australian government would "never be intimidated by threats" or "trade our values in response to coercion from wherever it comes".

According to the New South Wales anti-discrimination commission, the racism targetting Asians has increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

The ties between Australia and China took a downhill ever since the coronavirus outbreak, which originated from China's Wuhan and spread globally.

Canberra also led calls for an international probe into the origin and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in central China.

China is Australia's largest trading partner and the latest warnings to students could impact Australia too as the country's fourth-largest export is from education, which last year brought Aus$37 billion into the economy.

After Australia's push for virus inquiry, China's ambassador in Canberra threatened a widespread boycott of Australian products by consumers, which followed up by a ban on four major Australian beef exporters.