Photo taken on Sep 8, 2019 shows the Chinese and Australian national flags on a celebration event in Sydney, Australia.Photo:Xinhua

Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton's comments against China including the alleged cyberattacks are ridiculous. China urges Australia to tell right from wrong and make  efforts in improving bilateral ties, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday, two days after Canberra scraped a Belt and Road Initiative deal between China and Australia's Victoria State.

"The minister's comments confused right and wrong...The predicament that China-Australia ties are facing is caused by Australia, which blatantly interfered  in China's internal affairs, harmed China's interests and adopted discriminatory trade practices against China," Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a daily press briefing on Friday.

"However, Australia is pretending to be a victim. It is very ridiculous," Zhao noted.

According to Australian media reports, Dutton said on Thursday that Australia will not "surrender" to threats of retaliation from China after Victoria's Belt and Road deal was ripped up, and "we are not going to surrender our sovereignty."

He also said that Australia's relationship with its largest trade partner was important, but it was standing up for its beliefs. Dutton claimed  China's behavior in the region, including militarization of bases and cyber attacks, is a "real problem," news.com.au reported.

Zhao said that Dutton's  accusations including the cyber attacks are more suitable for Australia.

We urge Australia to tell right from wrong, and make  efforts to improve the China-Australia ties, Zhao noted

Global Times