The Australian government will increasingly scrutinize both public and private agreements with China as Canberra expands efforts to shape Chinese economic influence in the country. China will respond with continued trade pressure targeted at select Australian sectors, while refraining from measures that could significantly damage Australia’s economy. On April 21, Australia's foreign ministry used its new powers gained under the country's so-called "veto laws” to cancel the state of Victoria's accession to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying the deal was inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy and adverse to foreign relations. The Australian government also struck down two education and science deals that the state of Victoria struck with Iran and Syria. However, the ministry approved a memorandum of understanding between Western Australia and the Indonesian government for Cooperation on Human Resources Development in the Energy and Mineral Resources Sector. ...
