(Dan Tri) – Two Australian scholars were banned from entering China in the context of increasingly tense bilateral relations.
Two Australian scholars Alex Joske (left) and Clive Hamilton (Photo: SCMP)
The Global Times, a subsidiary publication of the People’s Daily – the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, on September 24 cited anonymous sources as saying that two Australian citizens, Clive Hamilton and Alex Joske, were banned.
The Global Times said the decision to ban entry for two Australian citizens was made after Australia revoked the visas of two Chinese scholars for allegedly threatening national security.
Clive Hamilton, is a professor at Charles Sturt University in Canberra, Australia.
Hamilton said he was surprised to hear that China had imposed an entry ban.
“This ban is not surprising, even though I have been on Beijing’s list of bad actors for many years,” Hamilton told Reuters.
Hamilton believes that the relationship between China and Australia can only improve when Beijing stops interfering in Australia’s affairs and trying to bully Canberra.
Joske grew up in Beijing.
“Although I grew up in China and still want to return to better times, I decided many years ago that the actions of the Chinese government made travel to the country risky.
The Global Times describes Joske as famous for anti-China propaganda activities and fabricating anti-China stories.
Australia earlier this month revoked the visas of two Chinese scholars, Chen Hong and Li Jianjun, leaders of the Australian Research Centers at East China University and Beijing Foreign Studies University, respectively.
The above information was released amid escalating tensions between Australia and China after Canberra in April called for an international investigation into the origin of Covid-19.
China in August arrested Australian journalist Cheng Lei, accusing her of `threatening national security`.
Australia in June searched the residences of four journalists working for Chinese state media agencies in Australia.
China in May imposed tariffs on barley imported from Australia, banned Australia’s top four beef producers, and warned Chinese students and tourists to be careful when coming to Australia because of the risk of discrimination.
