“Australia should confront the stark contradiction between its economic interests and its security alignment, as the latter only escalates regional tensions and undermines stability,” the editorial reads.
“While benefiting from trade with China, Australia continues to try and sustain the AUKUS arrangement, a US-led mechanism targeting China, and lend support to the Philippines in the South China Sea.
“Such behaviour exposes Australia’s implicit calculations to butter both sides of its bread at the same time.”
The newspaper claimed China would “under no circumstances tolerate such infringements on its core interests”.
“Its two-faced policy toward China is not sustainable in the long run,” the article stated.
The editorial, which has no byline, plainly stated that China “poses no threat to Australia”.
It then urged the government to develop a “rational perception” of China, which captures its key role as a major trading partner and one that promotes peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
The writer finished by claiming the Albanese government knows what to do to keep relations stable.
The blunt message from Chinese media comes as Australian government officials spend time in China in a bid to court local tourism and investment.
The writer heaped praise on Albanese for having wisdom in “seeking harmony without uniformity” during his meeting with Chinese leaders.
The same publication previously heaped praise on Albanese for achieving a “turnaround” in Chinese-Australia relations.
The PM is also expected to meet with US President Donald Trump next week in New York as he heads to the UN General Assembly.
