China on Tuesday stated Australia ought to keep in mind Japan’s battle crimes throughout World War II earlier than cosying as much as the regional energy.

Australia’s centre-left authorities has been making an attempt to restore its relationship with China, which soured significantly underneath the previous conservative authorities.

But it has additionally lately signed a brand new safety pact with China’s regional rival Japan, seen as an try to restrict Beijing’s muscle within the Pacific area.

China’s ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian stated Canberra ought to be cautious about trusting Japan, given its assaults on Australia throughout World War II.

“During the Second World War Japan invaded Australia, bombed Darwin, killed Australians and shot Australian (prisoners of war),” he instructed reporters.

“Be cautious about what may occur sooner or later. When somebody threatens you, he may threaten you once more.

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“China has been your pal.”

Xiao had bristled when asked about Japan’s ambassador to Australia, who told The Australian newspaper that there was a need to remain “vigilant” of China.

China slapped tariffs on key Australian exports such as barley and wine at the height of the dispute in 2020, and unofficially halted imports of Australian coal.

At one point Chinese government ministers even refused to take calls from their Australian counterparts.

Australia’s former government angered China by repeatedly questioning its human rights record, and by pushing for an independent investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Xiao acknowledged that trade had been “disrupted” in recent years, but said he was hopeful it would “get again to regular”.