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Chinese state media slams Australia's latest $47 million 'gimmick': 'UNTENABLE'

Australia and the UK have moved to deepen their security ties with a $47 million pledge to promote "peace and stability" in the Indo-Pacific – a move which has been lambasted by Chinese state media.

The Morrison government has repeatedly expressed its concern over the growing dominance of China, and its recent AUKUS alliance with the UK and US is seen as a direct countermeasure to China's growth in the region.

The latest funding announced will be used to “strengthen regional resilience in areas including cyberspace, state threats and maritime security,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a joint statement after a video meeting on Thursday.

Mr Morrison highlighted their desire to work with ASEAN as part of the investment, which includes the countries of Vietnam and the Philippines who have had territory disputes with China in the South China Sea.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks at Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he speaks in the garden of 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, June 15, 2021. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS
Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson have strengthened ties once again, to China's annoyance. Source: Reuters

Yet in the wake of the announcement, Beijing mouthpiece the Global Times published an opinion piece criticising the latest move.

It said it was unclear what the true intentions of the funding were, but said it was too little to make an impact and questioned what either country could offer.

"That makes it untenable that they are actually aiming to help develop network infrastructure in the region," it said.

China's foreign ministry has repeatedly questioned Australia and the US over its anti-China rhetoric and urged both countries to ditch their "Cold War mentality".

Chinese state media has previously branded Australia merely as a "pawn" and "lapdog" of the US and on Thursday again questioned the US's influence on Australia.

Photo by: Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx
9/29/15
The Secretary-General with H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President, People’s Republic of China.
Xi Jinping's China has repeatedly called out Australia for its anti-China rhetoric. Source: Reuters

"A more plausible motive behind such a move is their ill-advised intention to blindly follow the US in the latter's containment strategy against China," the Global Times said.

It said it had become "increasingly annoying" for Australia and the UK to "roll out ideological gimmicks" in the region, saying it was detrimental to stability and most regional countries would welcome China's development.

"If the UK and Australia want to use cybersecurity as a pretext to create a split in network construction in the Indo-Pacific region, they will only become unwelcome players that threaten regional stability and economic development."

China takes centre stage for upcoming election

China's position in the region has become a hot topic in the lead up to the 2022 federal election, with concerns raised over how national security is becoming politicised.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed Labor leader Anthony Albanese would “appease” China and criticised his position on national security.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton suggested China had chosen to back Labor as a result.

Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham was pressed on Mr Morrison's comments by ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland on Friday, and while he avoided categorically saying he agreed with the choice of the word "appease", he said it was vital for Australia to show "resolve and firmness".

"There's no room to have grey zones in terms of the language," he said regarding Mr Albanese's comments about wishing to see "some" trade sanctions slapped on Australian exports by China lifted.

"Well, 'some' is not good enough," Mr Birmingham said.

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