By Sky News
China has unleashed a warning to Australia to side with the communist super power over the United States after Sky News Australia aired an exclusive interview with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
China’s state-controlled media the Global Times says the US would abandon Australia if it needed rescuing.
“Australia should realize that the US views it only as a lackey,” the Global Times wrote.
“The possibility that the US will not come to Australia’s rescue when needed is nothing new.
“While the US maintains its global hegemony by running roughshod over the interests of its allies, it does not offer any rewards.”
The article was critical of Mike Pompeo’s interview on Outsiders this Sunday where he raised significant concerns with Victoria’s Belt and Road deal with China.
“I don’t know the nature of those projects precisely, but to the extent they have an adverse impact on our ability to protect telecommunications from our private citizens, or security networks for our defence and intelligence communities, we will simply disconnect, we will simply separate,” he said.
“We’re going to preserve trust in networks for important information. We hope our friends and partners and allies across the world, especially our Five Eyes partners like Australia, will do the same.”
The Global Times said Mr Pompeo was only focused in the interest of America.
“Obviously, what is on the mind of Pompeo and his likes is only US self-interests, and Washington is not going to foot the bill for the lost Australian jobs,” the article said.
“Australia is already in a passive position in the face of wavering US policy. Canberra is forced to pick a side between Beijing and the Washington even when it is loath to jeopardise its relationship with China.”
