China-Australia relations: Global Times accused of ‘inflammatory’ coverage
- Tabloid boss Hu Xijin reports Australian ambassador told him his country does not follow the US on all China-related issues
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says newspaper’s account is inaccurate
Australia accused a Chinese tabloid of “inaccurate and inflammatory” coverage on Thursday after the newspaper’s editor and the Australian ambassador met in Beijing.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that ambassador Graham Fletcher and Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin met on Wednesday.
But the department did not specify which comments it objected to, saying only that “Australia rejects the inaccurate and inflammatory coverage of Australia by the Global Times”.
“Our ambassador met the editor of the Global Times and set out Australia’s clear policies in relation to China and on the US alliance,” the department said.
“The meeting took place outside the embassy and was part of a wider set of engagements with Chinese media outlets to ensure Australia’s views are conveyed directly.”
