China issuing 'direct threat' a call for Australia to 'stand up' for itself

Former Labor minister Stephen Conroy says the Chinese embassy’s address to the National Press Club of Australia just “makes the case” for Australia to ‘stand up” for its values and what it thinks is in the “national interest”.

“I think they are actually making the case for us – despite the somewhat quirky analogy of milking the cow and then wanting to slaughter it – that was another direct threat to Australian business interests,” he said.

“That if you want to disagree with China, if your government wants to expose, point out, hold up China to serious scrutiny and criticise it – you will be punished.

“I don’t mind them going on Australian television, making complete fools of themselves and broadcasting propaganda, and I certainly don’t mind them openly, albeit with a slightly quirky example, again threatening Australian business along the way.

“Because it just makes the case about why we have to stand up for our values and stand up for what we believe is in our national interest."

Видео China issuing 'direct threat' a call for Australia to 'stand up' for itself канала Sky News Australia