PM 'mishandled China-Australia relations'

18 Aug 2009, 1:04 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Australia's relationship with China is at its lowest point in years because of Kevin Rudd's "ham-fisted" approach, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says.

Australia's relationship with China is at its lowest point in years because of Kevin Rudd's "ham-fisted" approach, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says.

China reportedly has cancelled high-level diplomatic visits and meetings during the past month in an apparent show of its displeasure with Australia.

The move follows recent government decisions, including the granting of a visa to exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer.

The prime minister's supposed links with China count for nought, Mr Turnbull says.

"Our relations with China are at ... the lowest ebb they have been for many, many years," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. "(Mr Rudd) has been making an absolutely ham-fisted effort with our diplomatic relations." Mr Rudd had no hope of trying to coax China into action on climate change, as he'd promised, Mr Turnbull said.

"He has mishandled relations ... he obviously has no leverage with China left at all."

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