Senior Australian Minister Says China is Behaving Badly

Senior Australian Minister Says China is Behaving Badly
Australian Minister of Home Affairs Peter Dutton inspects the St.Sebastian's church where two Australian citizens died in the Easter Sunday bombing, during his visit in Negombo, Sri Lanka on June 3, 2019. Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters
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SYDNEY—A senior Australian government minister said on Oct. 11 China was behaving in a way that was inconsistent with Australian values by targeting political parties and universities in Australia, drawing a sharp rebuke from China’s embassy.

Relations between the important trading partners have deteriorated in recent years amid accusations that China is meddling in Australian domestic affairs and Australian fears that China is seeking undue influence in the Pacific region.