On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison scrapped the controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal between China and the state of Victoria, calling it "inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy."

"I consider these four arrangements to be inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations in line with the relevant test in Australia's Foreign Relations [State and Territory Arrangements] Act 2020," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.

"This scheme is very focussed on Australia's national interest. It’s about ensuring consistency of our foreign relations across Australia and it's most certainly not aimed at any one country," Payne told on ABC radio's AM program.

In response, a statement has been issued by the Chinese Embassy spokesperson condemning Australia's BRI move, which is expected to worsen the already tensed relationship between the two countries into greater imbalance.

According to the spokesperson, "We express our strong displeasure and resolute opposition to the Australian Foreign Minister's announcement on April 21 to cancel the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation within the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the related Framework Agreement between the Chinese side and Government of Victoria."

"This is another unreasonable and provocative move taken by the Australian side against China. It further shows that the Australian government has no sincerity in improving China-Australia relations. It is bound to bring further damage to bilateral relations, and will only end up hurting itself. The BRI co-operation between China and the Victoria state is conducive to deepening economic and trade relations between the two sides, and will promote economic growth and the wellbeing of the people of Victoria," the spokesperson added.

According to a Sydney Morning report, the Morrison government and national security experts were concerned that China was using the agreement with Victoria as a propaganda win to claim the that state government had broken ranks with Australia's China policy.

Image courtesy: ANI