Photo: Cheng Jingye, Ambassador of China to Australia
China has suspended imports of beef from Australia`s four largest meat processors. This is another step China has taken after it is preparing to impose high tariffs on Australian barley.
Both measures could be linked to Australia`s government`s call for an independent investigation into the origin of the new virus, observers say.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs speaker, Zhao Lijian, said at a routine journalist meeting Tuesday (May 12) that after the inspection of imported meat products by the Chinese Customs, several batches of Chinese beef products from Australian enterprises were found to have violated the inspection and quarantine requirements jointly determined by the competent authorities of both sides.
Australian media reported that the four meat companies accounted for 35 percent of Australia`s total beef exports to China, and trade volume could reach $3.5 billion this year.
Australia`s recent government has repeatedly called on the international community to conduct an international investigation into the source of the new coronavirus and China`s early epidemic response. Australia`s move sparked a backlash from china. China`s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, threat Australia last month, a move that could trigger Chinese retaliation.
Chinese customers may not eat Australian beef, drink Australian wine, travel to Australia, or send their children to Australia to study,. Cheng said.
And just two days ago, Australian Prime Minister Morrison expressed concern that China`s Commerce Department was preparing to impose a high tariff of 80% on Australian barley. Morrison said Monday that he hoped China would not mix China`s views on whether Australia has dumped barley with China`s views on Australia`s advocacy for an international investigation.
Morrison also recently reiterated that the new crown outbreak in China, the international community needs to send independent inspectors into China to investigate.
Australia is China`s largest supplier of barley, with annual exports worth between $980 million and $1.3 billion. China imports more than half of Australia`s barley exports from Australia.
