Foreign investment clampdown prompts claims of Chinese buyers being 'frozen out' SunSunday 13 Experts say tightening Chinese investment in Australia will not help the current trade problems. ( Print text only Cancel Efforts by Chinese companies to buy Australian assets are being left to languish or rejected under temporary restrictions to foreign investment that experts claim are further aggravating relations between Canberra and Beijing. Key points: From December 31, foreign buyers will face even more scrutiny when bidding for sensitive assets Experts say restrictions are being used to screen out bids by Chinese companies and are counterproductive to trade relations Foreign Investment Advisory Australia director Lachlan Molesworth, a former advisor to Scott Morrison while he was Treasurer, said the Government was within its rights to tailor foreign investment rules to the national interest.