Australia cancels Victoria state's Belt and Road deals with China

Ties between Australia and its biggest trade partner China are set to take another dive. Australia has cancelled two deals struck by the state of Victoria to cooperate on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The federal government used new foreign veto laws to cancel Victoria's agreements with China negotiated in 2018 and 2019. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the deals are inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy. The BRI -- the brainchild of Chinese President Xi Jinping -- is a global infrastructure initiative worth up to $1.5 trillion.



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[victorchew]

Don't think China will lose sleep over this BRI over Australia. Better serve Eastern Europe, Africa, South America and SE Asia. Let the 5 eyes trade amongst themselves. Period.

[clydeng]

When United States said jump, Australia said How high.

[kevinthegreat]

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the deals are inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy, if so why then Australia signed the agreement at the first place.

[AC-zjzg]

Funny thing is, Australia has a net positive export with China and would be the ones to suffer by canceling BRI. Australia needs China and not the other way around. This is like tearing up its free money card.

[frankfeng]

To my understanding, if you look at the map, BRI is still BRI with or without Australia.

[imllendream]

That is to me a GOOD NEWS!!! Now other countries that joined the belt and road will have even more chance to outdo Australia. Let Australia isolates herself further!!!!

[oldwong]

You can withdraw, but you cannot join any further BRI deals. Stooopid beyond belief. As if Australian withdrawal will actually meant a thing to other countries.

[Ben-ijtd]

The reporter said big blow to BRI... Big blow to BRI by losing Australia or big blow to Australia losing all the potential trade connecting to half of the world?

[oceanwave]

Anglo contries want to isolate China, but it looks like they're isolating themselves. If I were China, I would be happy to hear this news as if Australia were part of it, I would never know when it stops pretending and starts stabbing my back...

[justingomez]

Aussies removes Chinese Belt.
"Pants Dropped"
Kudos to Aussies for preventing Environmental Road Rape.

[LesliePeter]

Isn’t the Australian government luring foreign buyers including Chinese, back to the Australian property? Australia will pay any foreign buyers up to $50, 000 to buy a new home – it doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s all in the interests of supporting the economy.

[zatoichiable]

Much much better for china not to include US and the Western alliance...

[yupenglin]

A new era has come that no country will respect contracts. Any contract can be broken in the name of national interest.

[dqesqmk]

Indeed, it is Australia's loss, rather than China. Also, Australia plays a negligible role in one-belt-one-road. China does not care at all.

[WINDYCHUNG]

This is what western world appreciates- "contract spirit", lol.

[ponsyu]

China is nothing to loose. There are more than hundred countries joining the B R I. And Australia is far away and not feasible to join the bandwagon.

[ThuyBui-ozwr]

WELL DONE AUSTRALIA GOVERNMENT! KEEP UP WITH THE GOOD WORK!

[MarcoUchello]

Sit back and watch all the CCP trolls start making anti Australian comments

[YZR]

Not a loss for China. Further decoupling with each other. Great !

[yolandajavierangsioco]

Wang yi replied: good riddence to bad rubbish.