Australian Senator Resigns Amidst Ongoing China Controversy

Australian Labor Party's Senator Sam Dastyari fronts the media in Sydney on Sept. 6, 2016, to make a public apology after asking a company with links to the Chinese Government to pay a bill incurred by his office. It was one of a number of mistakes that have piled up in relation to Dastyari’s links with Beijing that saw him resign on Dec. 12, 2017. William West/AFP/Getty Images

An Australian senator has resigned due to pressure brought about by media reports on his links with a wealthy Chinese political donor and acts deemed favorable to the policies of China’s ruling Communist Party.

After mounting pressure, Australian Labor Party (ALP) senator Sam Dastyari announced his resignation from federal parliament on Tuesday, Dec. 12.