The Sankei Shimbun reports that while China has retaliated against Australia’s demand for an independent inquiry into the origins and spread of the coronavirus by restricting beef imports and threatening tariffs, the Morrison government continues to maintain a firm stance.

May 19, 2020
It is appealing that the member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) should cooperate in the investigation, and it has sent documents to the leaders of the Group of 20 nations and regions (G20), asking for support for an independent inquiry.
The following is an article published in today’s Sankei Shimbun under the title, “Australia Takes a Strong Stance toward China over Coronavirus; Even Trade Retaliation Does Not Make It Abandon Its Demand for an Independent Inquiry.”
By Hiroshi Mori, Singapore.
The confrontation between Australia and China is deepening over the response to the novel coronavirus.
Against Australia, which is calling for an independent inquiry into the source of the outbreak and other matters, China has carried out “retaliation” such as restrictions on beef imports, but the Morrison government in Australia, where caution toward China has increased in recent years, is maintaining a firm stance.
The trigger for the confrontation was the series of demands by Australian cabinet ministers, beginning in mid-April, for an “independent inquiry.”
They demanded that a third party investigate the circumstances of the outbreak and spread of the novel coronavirus, and Prime Minister Morrison himself stated the view that such an inquiry was “necessary in order to prevent a recurrence.”
It is appealing that the member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) should cooperate in the investigation, and it has sent documents to the leaders of the Group of 20 nations and regions (G20), asking for support for an independent inquiry.
For Australia, China is its largest trading partner, accounting for about 30 percent of its exports, but in recent years Australia has deepened its distrust.
In the island nations of the South Pacific, where Australia has traditionally had influence, China is expanding its influence by using its economic power as leverage.
In September last year, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China.
Australia is concerned that China may turn island nations into military footholds, and it is on edge.
At home, several suspicions of Chinese influence operations have also surfaced.
In 2017, political donations by a wealthy Chinese businessman to the opposition camp developed into a major scandal.
At the end of last year, it came to light that a Chinese intelligence agency had tried to have a Chinese-Australian luxury car dealer run in the Australian general election, which was held in May last year.
After consulting the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the man was found dead in a hotel.
In response to these developments, anti-China sentiment among the public is showing signs of rising.
According to a survey conducted last year by a local think tank, only 32 percent of respondents expressed the positive view that China “acts responsibly in the international community,” a sharp drop from 52 percent in 2018.
Australia has until now maintained a balance between the United States, its important ally, and China, its largest trading partner, but with moves that can be described as Chinese interference in domestic affairs, its sense of vigilance is growing stronger.
As a de facto countermeasure against Australia, China partially suspended meat imports as of the 12th of this month.
There is also talk of the possibility that high tariffs may be imposed on Australian barley.
In Australia, local governments and agricultural parties have voiced concern about the economic impact.
However, the Morrison government has not abandoned its move to demand an independent inquiry, saying, through Home Affairs Minister Dutton, that “the families of those infected are seeking answers in a transparent manner,” and the prospects for resolving the confrontation with China remain unclear.