Australia 'risking US relationship' over 'Victoria's secretive agreement with China'

Описание: The Australian's Dennis Shanahan says Victoria's government has "effectively signed a secretive agreement with a foreign government" which has all sorts of potential implications "for national security and international relations".

Victoria has confirmed it will push ahead with its plan to sign up to China’s US$1.4 trillion infrastructure program.

The Belt and Road Initiative is designed to link China with Asia, Europe and Africa via a massive infrastructure investment that will see the widespread construction of railways, motorways and ports.

China claims the deal will be mutually beneficial, but the federal government has criticised Victoria for signing up for the deal citing possible security implications.

Mr Shanahan said the "message was very clear from the US" following recent comments made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussing the issue with Sky News.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a stern warning over Victoria’s Belt and Road deal with China, telling Sky News the US will “simply disconnect” from Australia if it affects America's telecommunications.

Mr Pompeo said he wasn’t aware of the specific details of the agreement but warned the US “will not take any risks”.

“We will not take any risks to our telecommunications infrastructure, any risk to the national security elements of what we need to do with our Five Eyes partners,” he said.

"The message is there for Victoria and for the rest of Australia," Mr Shanahan said.

Image: AP