The Chinese Government has made a “complete miscalculation” by taking the “long handle” to Australia following calls for an inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic and risks uniting Western allies against the country.
That’s according to former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer, who said China’s aggressive sense of “wolf warrior” diplomacy in the wake of the pandemic has taken many nations by surprise.
Mr Downer, who also previously served as high commissioner to the UK and now works as Chairman of Trustees for UK think tank the Policy Exchange, said Western allies previously had different views on how to manage their relationship with the superpower. But the “vehemence” of China’s reaction to the Australian calls for an inquiry has shocked many.
