Tag: Morrison

  • Australia Calls For Independent Inquiry Into COVID-19 Origin Amid Tensions With China

    Amid already soaring China-Australia tensions, Canberra is reportedly pushing to ensure the international enquiry into the early handling of COVID-19 pandemic and its reporting doesn’t pull any punches. As the scepticism grows among several government backbenchers if the global inquiry will entirely address the missteps taken by the Chinese authorities and causing reporting delays, Australia is reportedly utilising its final months on a top World Health Organisation board to press for the investigation to be ‘robust’ and ‘independent’.

    While talking to the Guardian, when asked if the island nation was satisfied with China’s cooperation in identifying the origin of the highly-infectious disease, Australia’s health department spokesperson said, “Australia encourages all countries to engage openly and constructively with the evaluation process.” A move likely to further deteriorate the bilateral relations, Australia’s push for the independent inquiry being robust came when both nations are already at odds on a range of issues including trade. 

    It was Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s early public calls for a global inquiry in April that had triggered a furious backlash from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government that argued it was a political manoeuvre against Beijing. However, China joined most nations in supporting an inquiry motion drafted by the European Union and co-sponsored by Australia in May while unleashing a range of trade actions against Australian exports throughout the year. China has also rebuffed Australia’s calls for ministerial talks. 

  • Australia Accuses China Of Breaching Trade Rules; Slams ‘discriminatory’ Coal Ban

    Amid the rising tensions between Beijing and Canberra, Australian PM Scott Morrison on December 15 accused China of breaching international trade rules through its reported ban on Australian coal imports. Morrison’s remarks come in response to a report in Chinese state media outlet Global Times confirming that Beijing was restricting imports of coal only from Australia and prioritising imports from Mongolia, Indonesia and Russia. The Australian PM, along with Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, accused China of breaching its agreement with Australia and further said that the government is seeking clarification from Beijing about the reported ban. 

    According to The Guardian, Morrison said that if the coal ban was in a place that would “obviously be in breach of WTO rules” and “obviously in breach of our own free trade agreement”. While speaking about the souring relationship between the two countries, he argued that it was correct to stand up for liberal democratic values, Australia’s sovereignty and to push for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19. Further, Morrison also hoped that he would have a “direct” conversation with his Chinese counterpart in 2021, saying there was “no barrier to that occurring on the Australian side”. 

  • Australia Accuses China Of Free Trade Agreement Breach, Condemns Unilateral Curbs

    After China blocked timber imports from Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s administration called out the Asian nation for alleged breach of the free trade agreement. Australian government condemned China’s unilateral “destructive and restrictive” trade curbs that have impacted Australia’s exports as the People’s Republic continues to flex its geo-economic muscle power.

    In an address to the Senate, Australia’s trade minister Simon Birmingham said that the government was looking for a resolution with dialogue after exporters were hit with high tariffs. The House of Councillors passed a documenting order. 

    According to sources of Australian broadcaster NINE, Australia’s Trade Minister derided China’s restrictions of Australian goods imports, alleging that the People’s Republic has committed a breach of World Trade Organisation terms. Amid the escalating trade war tensions, Senator Birmingham accused the “targeted nature of Chinese government” that slapped import measures on Australian goods and said that China’s adherence to the letter and spirit of its ChAFTA and WTO obligations was questionable. 

  • PM Modi to inaugurate ‘Bengaluru Tech Summit-2020’ today, conference to run for three days

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bangalore Tech Summit 2020 (BTS 2020) through video conferencing on Thursday. In this special program, the major challenges that will come after the epidemic with new technology will be discussed. Bengaluru Tech Summit will be held from 19 to 21 November.

    The summit will be attended by Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, Swiss Confederation Vice President Guy Parmelin and many other leading international celebrities. After visiting the BTS 2020 Center, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and IT Minister CN Ashwath Narayan said that we have made elaborate arrangements to make BTS great, as the event sessions are being 100 percent virtual.