BANGKOK: China’s ambassador on Monday reportedly is warning the Australian government its pursuit of a Covid-19 inquiry could set off a boycott by Chinese consumers, who may no longer travel and study in Australia or buy major exports including beef and wine.in an interview published on Monday that Australia’s push for an inquiry was"dangerous” and predicted it would fail to gain traction.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said an independent inquiry was in the interests of Australia and the world. "To have a major global, cataclysmic event and not to review it would seem very odd and very strange and so ultimately we have to take the steps that are in not just the interests of Australia, but in the interests of common humanity,” Hunt added.
Education is Australia’s third-largest export industry and China is the largest source of students studying in Australia. China is also Australia’s largest trading partner.Meanwhilem Australia's neighbour New Zealand reported five new coronavirus cases as the nation gets ready to ease its strict lockdown from midnight.