Chinese state media backs in Anthony Albanese, turns on Peter Dutton

Chinese state media has backed in Anthony Albanese’s stance on the Chinese “spy” ship in Australian waters as it turned on Peter Dutton, accusing him of “beating the drums of war”.

The comments made in an editorial in The Global Times comes after a furore erupted around the presence of the Chinese research vessel Tan Suo Yi Hao, which is near Australia’s exclusive economic zone and has the ability to scan the country’s critical undersea cables.

It said the accusation that the vessel was a spy ship was “nothing more than unfounded speculation”.

“Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said that ‘We live in circumstances where just as Australia has vessels in the South China Sea, and vessels in the Taiwan Straits and a range of areas, this vessel is there.’

“Albanese spoke the truth, while to some extent highlighting the double standards of some Australian politicians and media — while Australia allows its own vessels to demonstrate military presence in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, they cannot tolerate Chinese ships entering international waters near Australia’s coastline.”

The masthead then turned on Mr Dutton, saying the timing of the vessel’s visit during an election campaign was the “real reason” that he had been “beating the drums of war”.

“Some Australian politicians just don’t get it. They try to block the improvement of China-Australia relations, constantly spewing harmful rhetoric and hijacking the relationship, only for their personal benefit. That’s the real threat to Australia — not the research vessel from China,” the Global Times wrote.

“A better relationship with China will bring invaluable benefits to Australia. However, the key lies in managing the balance between China, Australia, and the US; Canberra cannot simply reap economic benefits from China while aligning with the US to undermine China’s core interests. This is not an unreasonable expectation.

“But one thing is certain, China is not a threat. On this point, Australia can sleep soundly. It does not have to be this paranoid.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, a Chinese Embassy spokesman reiterated that ship’s sole objective in the region was for research and had fully complied with international laws outside of Australia’s economic zone.

The spokesman also slammed media reporting of its presence in the region as “smearing” the scientific research activities.

“Politicising or stigmatising of the research activities is disrespectful to global scientific development,” he said in a statement.

The spokesman called for an end to “groundless suspicion and speculations”.

“We are strongly against that,” he said.

“As science knows no borders, over recent years China has conducted joint scientific expeditions with multiple countries, making positive contribution to global marine biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

“The vessel has all along carried out normal activities at sea and has performed no operation in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone.

“These activities are not directed at any third party and have nothing to do with China-Australia relations, let alone the Australian federal election.

“China always upholds the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and does not want to participate in, interfere with, or comment on Australia’s election.”

Asked whether the Chinese praise was a sign he had “gone too easy” on the on the Chinese government, Mr Albanese was stern.

“I stand up for Australia’s national interest,” he said.

“That’s what I do each and every day.

Mr Dutton argued that people want a Prime Minister who can stand up for the country.

“What they’ve seen in Anthony Albanese is somebody who doesn’t have the strength or the backbone or the will to stand up for our country’s interests. He can’t stand up to China,” he said.

“At the moment, they see a prime minister who was weak and flapping in the breeze.

“The Prime Minister doesn’t have the capacity to stand up for our national interests or for our national security.”