China hits back at Australia PM interference claims

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China denied it ever sought to influence Australian domestic matters and urged Canberra on Tuesday to “cast away its bias” after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said foreign powers were interfering in the country’s political process.

“China has no intention of interfering in Australia's internal affairs, nor did we try to impact its internal matters with so-called political donations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing.

“We urge the Australian side to cast away its bias and view China and the China-Australia relationship in an objective and just manner."

China’s relations with other countries were based “on the principle of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs” and this “applies to Australia as well,” Geng added.

The Foreign Ministry statement comes after Turnbull on Tuesday announced new laws that would ban foreign donations to political parties and criminal charges for anyone found interfering in Australia’s political process.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media during a news conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia December 5, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"Foreign powers are making unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated attempts to influence the political process, both here and abroad," he argued.

In the US, allegations of Russian interference in last year’s presidential election have been under investigation for months.

Turnbull made a reference to Russia, but also pointed the finger specifically at Beijing, citing "disturbing reports about Chinese influence".

Australian media reported over the summer that Beijing was trying to influence Australian politics through covert means and intimidation, claims that Beijing has denied.

Australian senator Sam Dastyari was also forced to resign last week from key positions over his links to Chinese businessmen amid accusations he was “under foreign influence.”

On Tuesday, Turnbull noted that the new laws "are not about any one country."

"Foreign interference is a global issue…the threat is real," he said.

The new Australian laws, which will expand the definitions of treason and espionage and require groups and individuals lobbying for foreign states to register, still need to be approved by parliament.

(With input from agencies)

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