Australia and NZ unite over rights issues in China
LOCAL ISSUES? Beijing is firmly opposed to foreign interference, a Chinese ministry spokesman said, when asked about the two nations’ statement
Reuters, WELLINGTON
New Zealand and Australia yesterday expressed grave concerns over developments in Hong Kong and the human rights situation in the Xinjiang region of China, as the two nations sought to get in lockstep over their biggest trading partner.
In the first face-to-face meeting between heads of both countries in more than 15 months, Wellington and Canberra presented a united on Beijing.
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand began last month after the two nations controlled the spread of COVID-19, allowing Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to visit New Zealand.
Beijing [China], May 31 (ANI): Beijing on Monday condemned the joint statement made by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, on the issues pertaining to Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
China won t stand between Australia, New Zealand, say leaders ANI | Updated: May 31, 2021 15:18 IST
Canberra [Australia], May 31 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Canberra and Wellington policies with regard to China won t divide the neighbouring countries as they stood resolutely together on shared values and principles.
As Morrison and New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern used their first face-to-face meeting in 15 months to play down signs of division over China, Morrison said those who wished to split Canberra and Wellington over their policy towards Beijing would not succeed, reported South China Morning Post (SCMP). We will continue to work together in that way, and I have no doubt there will be those who seek to undermine Australia and New Zealand s security by seeking to create points of difference, which are not there, he said.
China responds to Aus, N Zealand remarks on HK, Xinjiang shanghainews.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from shanghainews.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Australian minister drops ABC defamation lawsuit
AFP, SYDNEY
A senior Australian Cabinet minister yesterday dropped a high-profile defamation suit against the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) over its publication of rape allegations that helped spark nationwide protests.
In February, the ABC reported allegations that an unnamed senior government minister had raped a 16-year-old girl in 1988.
As online speculation mounted, then-Australian attorney general Christian Porter outed himself as the subject of the article.
Australian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter speaks to the media outside the Federal Court of New South Wales in Sydney yesterday.
Photo: EPA-EFE
He denied the allegations, but was demoted by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and took extended mental health leave amid widespread public anger.