CANBERRA - An Australian man's death sentence by a Chinese court for drug smuggling should not necessarily be seen as retaliation over tensions between the two nations, according to Trade and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham.
The sentencing comes amid increasing signs of a widening rift between the key trading partners after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison led calls for an independent probe into the origins of Covid-19.New tariffs on Australian barley and a ban on beef from four meatworks have raised concerns in Canberra that China is retaliating with"economic coercion".
Asked whether the sentence was retaliation over bi-lateral tensions, Birmingham said"we shouldn't necessarily view it as such". Mr Birmingham reiterated his desire to visit China for talks when appropriate and said Australia was continuing to make representations at an official and diplomatic level on a range of issues.
You can google how many police officers die because of fighting with drug smuggler
Imagine the effect of the drugs! If it gets thru! It’s only adequate to pass the death sentence!
Held in prison for 7 years. Court case just happens to be held in the midst of diplomatic tensions?
In Singapore it would be the death penalty as well. Last I checked, China has the autonomy to make their own laws.
Do drugs is not necessarily Pubilcized in Australia.