Penny Wong has slammed China for failing to join the rest of the world in condemning the violence in Ukraine, accusing Beijing of being “inconsistent” in their language.
China has lifted restrictions on Russia wheat and barley, and abstained from voting for a UN Security Council resolution to condemn the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin agreed to boost trade ties, announcing earlier this month the friendship between their two nations had “no limits”.
Speaking with ABC’s Insiders, the opposition foreign spokeswoman called out Beijing’s inconsistent position.
“China's position is inconsistent. China has, for decades, as a precept of their foreign policy (indicated) they respect sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Senator Wong said on Sunday.
“The position they are currently articulating in relation to Ukraine is inconsistent with China’s stated foreign policy position over decades.”
Senator Wong added as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it had a responsibility to speak out against Russia’s continued assault on Ukraine.
“(China) has a special responsibility to make a clear statement that defends the principles around the sovereignty, around territorial integrity, the principles of international law and that are contained in the UN Charter,” she said.
“It has not done so.”
She also echoed Defence Minister Peter Dutton’s call for Mr Xi to convince Mr Putin to stand down.
“China has a unique relationship with Russia. It is in a unique position to pressure Russia not to invade,” Senator Wong said.
Australia is set to slap sanctions on Mr Putin directly, but has stopped short of kicking diplomats out of the country.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne indicated it was a live option but at this stage the government wanted to keep lines of communication open.
Senator Wong also left the door open for the government to go further, indicating Labor would be willing to support a ban on trade with the nation.
“I've said we will give bipartisan support to the most comprehensive and heaviest sanctions that Australia can and should take, so I extend that invitation to the Government again,” she told the ABC.
“So what you are saying is that if the Government went further and banned all trade with Russia, Labor would be willing to support that?” host David Speers quippedxjmtzyw back.
“If the Government can demonstrate that is where we need to go, if the Government can demonstrate that Australia‘s sanctions should head to that point, we are here to provide bipartisan support,” Senator Wong responded.
“I think the unity of the parties and of the Australian people to push back against Russian aggression does matter.”
However, she declined to outrightly call for the government to act further.
“I'm not looking to find differences here … (Labor) wants to come together, be united as a country,” she said
